A hen welfare charity is appealing for people to help save hundreds of hens from slaughter by giving them a home to live out their retirements.

The flock of ex-commercial hens, being saved by the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT), will be winging its way to Didcot for an adoption event on Saturday July 10.

Anyone interested in opening their home to hens must register with the BHWT before Thursday July 8. Once registered, they will receive the location and time to pick up their new feathered friends.

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The BHWT doesn’t charge a fee for each hen but does ask for a donation to cover adoption costs and hen welfare campaigning work, such as veterinary and education programmes.

Gaynor Davies, head of operations, said: “Hens are really sociable animals, which is one of the reasons they make great pets. It’s also why we ask our adopters to reserve a minimum of three hens, so that they have some company to sunbathe and enjoy their retired years with.

“Anyone who has had hens in the past will know they have great personalities - we think of them as cats and dogs with feathers. Plus, they will lay you great fresh eggs – what’s not to like?”

The BHWT was the UK’s first charity to save laying hens from slaughter and rehome them as family pets. Every year the charity saves more than 60,000 hens and has saved over 810,000 hens since it was established in 2005.

Visit bhwt.org.uk or call 01884 860084.