Perfect Credit Crunch Pets - Ex Battery Hens

British Hen Welfare Trust volunteer, Michelle Boulton from Camelford is appealing to people across the region to consider re-homing some ex-bat hens this Christmas

Michelle, who has been volunteering since 2008 for the national charity that re-homes commercial laying hens and encourages support for the British egg industry, has already found homes for over 10,000 hens as domestic pets around Cornwall and West Devon.

With farms across the country emptying their barren cages ahead of the 2012 EU Cage Ban, which comes in to effect on January 1st, the charity has set itself a target of finding homes for 6,000 hens across the country, which would otherwise go to slaughter at the end of their commercial life.

The charity was established in 2005 and has so far re-homed nearly 300,000 hens from 25 volunteer locations around the UK.

Michelle told us "If anyone has considered keeping hens, now is a great time to do it. They make wonderful pets, plus they give so much back, with their friendly characters, and of course your own supply of tasty fresh eggs - they're the perfect credit crunch pet! They're also easy to care for, making them ideal for families and first time chicken keepers. The national target for finding homes for 6,000 hens is ambitious, but I'm really confident the people of Cornwall and West Devon will help us achieve it."

To find out more,please email the charity at hens@bhwt.org.uk, call 01769 580310 or visit www.bhwt.org.uk