TWO hundred ex-battery hens have been saved from slaughter after an overwhelming response from West Devon and East Cornwall residents to adopt the lucky chooks!

The Times published an appeal recently for permanent homes for the hens who had come to the end of their commercial life.

The hens were from a caged farm in Cornwall and the British Hen Welfare Trust was giving them the opportunity for a free range retirement.

An adoption day was held at South Zeal near Okehampton by the charity after scores of people responded to the appeal, both experienced and first time chicken keepers.

Local co-ordinator Gaynor Davies said: 'We are always astounded by the public's reaction to our appeal for homes.

'All sorts of people have come forward, from repeaters to people who have not had chickens before but have got a bit of space at home. Their generosity is amazing.

'We are just so grateful that people are willing to give these girls a chance. Ex-bat hens are simple to keep and have such a fun and friendly nature. They will soon work their way into the hearts of their new owners.'

Battery hens have a commercial life of around 18 months. Although they lay perfectly well after this time farmers cannot guarantee that they will lay one perfect egg every single day.

Gaynor continued: 'Most ex-bat hens carry on laying but you might get the odd wrinkly egg or one with spots or perhaps one egg every other day.

'The supermarkets want the eggs all the same so it is not viable for the farmers to keep chickens who are not laying perfect eggs every day.

'We are always looking for homes for the hens that are past their best as far as the industry is concerned and this is usually the whole stock or a proportion of the stock from a farm.

'This time we had around 200 to find homes for and luckily this has not been a problem.

'The alternative is the chickens being made into pet food so we would like to thank everyone who came forward. We have had a particularly fabulous response from the Tavistock area this time.'

People adopting the chickens were asked to make a small donation to cover costs and to save more hens from slaughter. But, if you missed out this time, don't worry there will be other adoption days in the future.

To find out more call the British Hen Welfare Trust on 01884 860084 or email [email protected]">[email protected]