10 Fun Facts About Re-Homed Battery Hens

Keeping chickens in the back garden or on a small holding is a rewarding experience full of fun and unique moments. Every hen has its own personality and character, bringing smiles even on tough days. For ex-battery hens, rehoming offers the chance to live a natural life, exploring a yard instead of being confined to tiny cages. This transformation provides a real 'feel good factor' for both the hens and their new owners.

Adopting battery hens can be a fulfilling journey. After settling into their new homes—which might take some time—they often start laying eggs again naturally, without the strain of factory conditions. Many battery hens need help to learn or relearn natural behaviours like scratching in the dirt. It's a common and amusing sight to see owners teaching their hens how to enjoy the outdoors and have fun dust bathing.

Given their past confinement and limited exposure to light or open spaces, some hens require patience to adapt to their freedom. Watching these birds cautiously explore or joyfully discover new environments highlights both their resilience and the suffering they've endured. The adjustment period is a unique learning curve filled with moments of delight and sometimes sadness.

There are plenty of books and websites about chicken care, but nothing quite prepares you for the unique experience of rescuing ex-battery hens. Here are ten fun and insightful facts to better understand these incredible birds and support their recovery:

1. Signs of Illness in Hens

When a hen feels unwell, it will droop its tail and let its wings hang low. Observing these subtle signs early helps owners respond promptly with veterinary care, ensuring the hen's comfort and speedy recovery.

2. Happy Hens Make a Purring Noise

Chickens often make a gentle purring sound, similar to cats, when content. This charming behaviour shows their comfort and trust in their surroundings.

3. Chickens Have Poor Night Vision

Chickens do not see well in the dark. This trait means the best time to catch or move them is at night when they remain perfectly still, making handling safer and less stressful for both hen and owner.

4. Nature’s Scavengers

Chickens are avid scavengers, eager to peck at nearly anything they find while foraging. However, if feeding bread, always soak it first to avoid choking risks, highlighting the importance of safe feeding habits.

5. Dust Baths are Essential

Battery hens often experience dust baths for the first time after rescue, which helps them rid themselves of parasites. Watching hens enter a blissful, trance-like state during a dust bath is amusing and vital for their health.

6. Sunshine Lovers

Ex-battery hens adore sprawling in sunny spots, often lying on their sides to soak up every available ray of light. This simple pleasure enhances their mood and wellbeing.

7. Loving Companions

Re-homed hens can become affectionate pets. They may develop close bonds with children, happily sitting on laps or shoulders, and enjoy purring to show their affection.

8. Roosting Preferences

Chickens love to roost high up, a behaviour denied to battery hens. Initially, provide low perches for rescued hens, gradually increasing height as they gain strength and confidence. They often squabble for the best spots before settling for a peaceful night’s sleep.

9. Chicken Communication

Chickens have a complex language with different calls for laying eggs, finding food, signalling danger, or reminding you if it’s feeding time. Learning to recognise these helps owners better understand and respond to their flock’s needs.

10. Weather Resilience

Chickens are surprisingly hardy, coping well with hot and cold weather when given proper care. Ensure access to fresh water and shade in summer, and prevent frozen water troughs and keep bedding clean and ample in winter.

Re-homed battery hens are gentle souls deserving love and patience after their hardships. Watching a bird recover from injury and learn to embrace its natural behaviours is deeply rewarding. If you’re ready to provide a safe and caring home, know that the journey is filled with joy, learning, and the satisfaction of giving these wonderful creatures a second chance at life.