Want a pet? Why not hens?

Today we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of new additions to the familial home. Not a kitten, not a puppy, but birds. We will be rehoming several ex-battery hens. These are hens that have been born into a life of overcrowded, filthy conditions. Forced into cages and made to lay they wouldn't have had much space to move. Rehoming ex-battery hens, especially as someone who gave up eating most meat, feels pretty rewarding. We got to see our first batch of ex-battery hens walk on grass and experience rain for the first time. Being rehomed really changes their lives and below are some reasons why you should consider getting hens as pets.

Hens are a wonderful, rewarding pet to have. As long as you have enough garden space for them they make a wonderful addition to the home. We've had hens here for a few years now and have rarely had to buy eggs because our girls are constantly laying.

If you pick the right hens they can be very affectionate. They are animals that you can often pick up and cuddle. We have hens and cats. Because hens are quite big, cats often don't even approach them. In a fight between cat and chicken, the chicken often wins with their strong legs and sharp beaks. Our hens will often happily munch on leftover food from our fridge. Any untouched vegetables or fruits go to them which keeps them fed whilst minimising our waste. They will also keep the grass short for you by nibbling at long strands of grass thus keeping your lawn short. Hens have a great deal of personality to them.

These are low maintenance pets. You don't need to wash them or walk them like you would with dogs. They don't need lots of attention as they are often happy by themselves in groups. All you have to do is gather their eggs, provide fresh food and water daily, change their bedding once a month and give them the occasional cuddle. This makes them a great pet for someone on the go. Unlike a puppy or kitten which requires a lot of attention and affection when introduced to the house, chickens are often capable of entertaining themselves. They are best in groups so, should you rehome a hen, get a few friends.

Our new ladies should be arriving any minute. I hope you consider getting hens in the future and if you do it's probably a lot cheaper to get ex battery hens. They've a heart of gold and simply want a second chance.

Links:
The British Hen Welfare Trust - go here if you're interested in helping or rehoming rescued battery hens
For more information about why chickens make great pets and how to add them to your home, simply click here.