The British Hen Welfare Trust has been forced to let 12,000 hens go to slaughter due to the threat of bird flu.
Defra announced an Avian Flu Prevention Zone on 6 December for 30 days requiring all captive poultry to be kept indoors. The prevention zone was subsequently extended on 4 January until 28 February.
Defra’s announcement means it is now illegal to hold any poultry gathering or to allow hens to free range. As a result around 12,000 hens which were due to be collected by the British Hen Welfare Trust in December, January and February have now gone to slaughter.
Re-homings were due to take place in South Zeal this Sunday, January 8.
Jane Howorth MBE, charity founder, said: ‘We are best known for saving the lives of thousands of hens intended for slaughter so this is a difficult time for us. However, we take pride in acting responsibly and agree that Defra’s decision to extend the prevention zone to help protect national backyard and commercial poultry was the right one.
‘Everything we do as a charity revolves around hen welfare so we are greatly saddened that 12,000 hens didn’t get their chance to enjoy a free range retirement, but we are looking forward to March when we hope that thousands will be able to enjoy the spring sunshine for the first time.
‘We must thank our supporters who have been understanding and continue to patiently wait for their hens, as the hens themselves are patiently waiting for their chance to become family pets.’
The charity reminds hen keepers that the latest outbreak of Avian Flu was found within a backyard flock and that it is currently illegal to allow birds outside. The charity urges everyone keeping backyard hens to remain within the law and to protect their birds by keeping them under cover.
The British Hen Welfare Trust also has extensive information and guidance on managing backyard flocks on its website, including the best ways to keep hens entertained while confined indoors. Visit bhwt.org.uk for more information.
Please also visit the website if you would like to be put on our waiting list to re-home some hens in March. Alternatively, call 01884 860084 to speak to one of the team.