This year UES has been involved with A Fresh Start For Hens, a national organisation which relies on volunteers to help distribute and rehome ex-battery hens. Hens are purchased from farmers just before their slaughter date (around 1 year old), when their production drops below the 6 eggs per week that is required to make them commercially profitable.
UES has been appointed the Cheshire Co-ordinator for A Fresh Start For Hens and rehomed 60 ex-battery hens at the end of July. Battery hens are raised in tiny cages no bigger than a sheet of A4 paper, which prevents them from opening their wings and suppresses all of their natural instincts. However, through A Fresh Start For Hens and volunteers such as UES these ex-battery hens become lively engaging creatures within days of release.