I am the very proud owner of some beautiful ex-bat girls who were rescued from slaughter by the British Hen Welfare Trust. Watching these frightened, tatty hens blossom into confident, cheeky little characters has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Who would have thought that hens have their own distinct personalities, likes and dislikes? That they would learn what the word ‘bedtime!’ meant? That hens who initially froze in fear when a bird flew overhead or the wind rattled the fence would learn to build nests, roost, forage, dustbathe, preen, flap their wings and all the other natural behaviours that are denied to the 16,000,000 hens currently caged in the UK?
Years ago we got to know hens well, including one who became our pal---snoozing outside on a blanket with us, helping us weed our garden, climbing on our laps for attention. Hens are fine people, when they can be hens.
Found One Little Egg via Tweet from Stephen Fry, BTW.
Comments