LUCKY HENS!

I mentioned in my Ed’s letter that I wanted this edition to showcase the joy of hens, the impudence of hens thinking they’ve got you well and truly trained, and the way they worm themselves into our hearts and homes.

Well over the next few pages, you’ll see just a tiny handful of the nearly ONE MILLION hens that we have helped to enjoy a life that they never ever foresaw when they were diligently popping out eggs in return for their corn. Enjoy.

Paula Young from Stonehaven in Scotland introduced us to Mrs Henny Kravitz : ‘Mrs Kravitz is very royal. I think she sees herself as queen. She’s our oldest hen and just loves snuggling up on a Sunday morning in bed with us and Hamish our dog. She knows exactly where the fridge is and we often find her lying beside it at some point of the day. Meaning, I know the sweetcorn lives in there. We adore her. She’s very independent and I doubt she’d admit her coothie side if she could speak, but we know she definitely has one.’

Paul Connachan adopted his first flock of hens from Biggar in Scotland at the end of 2023 – I wonder what numbers they were in the countdown to one million?! Anyway, they don’t mind what numbers they are, they’re happy! Paul told us: ‘A big thank you to you, the volunteers and everyone who helps in some way or another. Emmett loved picking up his new ladies and felt on top of the moon for saving them. Keep up the good work and we will definitely keep in touch and support you again.’

Just look at this from Sarah Cumberland who collected her lucky hens from our Newark site, in Sarah’s own words : ‘Daisy and Debbie love listening to stories! Debbie is the most curious, always nearby to see what’s going on - she’s engrossed in the story on Harrison’s knee! Daisy loves a cuddle and she’s pictured sitting on Harrison’s shoulders. DeeDee was nearby, listening whilst in her sand bath - her favourite place to be, and Dixie was scratching in the mud searching for treats!’ Now that tells a story of four exceedingly happy hens, and one happy little boy. It brings SUCH JOY to see and read these tales – please never stop them coming!

Raymond Macilreavy also from Scotland shared this rather arty photo of Blondie enjoying her modelling session.