Oxfordshire animal lovers are being asked to offer retirement homes to more than 170 former commercial laying hens at a British Hen Welfare Trust rehoming event in Didcot.
At a glance
| What | British Hen Welfare Trust rehoming day |
| Where | Didcot, with the full collection location supplied after a reservation is confirmed |
| When | Sunday 16 August 2026 |
| Hens needing homes | More than 170, with the live total changing as reservations are made |
| Application deadline | Apply as early as possible. The event announcement gives 2pm on Friday 14 August as the final cut-off, while first-time adopters are normally asked to submit their application by 4pm on the preceding Thursday |
| Minimum adoption | Usually three hens, because hens are social and need companions |
| Donation | BHWT suggests £3 per hen towards running costs, or £6 or more to support its wider work |
| Apply | Visit the BHWT Didcot adoption page or call 01884 860084 |
The British Hen Welfare Trust is appealing for homes for more than 170 free-range laying hens due to arrive at its Didcot collection point on Sunday 16 August.
The hens are approaching the end of their commercial laying lives and would otherwise be destined for slaughter. The charity is looking for people with suitable housing, outdoor space and the time to give them a secure retirement as pets.
The press release originally put the number at 173. At the time of checking, the charity’s live adoption page showed 172 still needing homes, but that total is expected to fall as reservations are confirmed.
People interested in adopting should not simply arrive on the day. They must apply through the British Hen Welfare Trust in advance, and the exact collection address will be provided once the reservation has been approved.
Why do the hens need new homes?
The hens are commercial hybrids that have spent their lives producing eggs for the food industry.
British Hen Welfare Trust says the birds it collects are generally around 17 to 18 months old. At that stage, they may be laying fewer eggs and are no longer considered commercially viable, even though they may still have years of life ahead of them.
The charity removes the hens from farms before slaughter dates and matches them with approved homes around the country.
On a rehoming day, the birds are collected from the farm, transported to the local volunteer team and checked before adopters arrive. This allows them to move from the commercial system to their new homes within the same day.
Volunteer says people wish they had adopted sooner
Jon Joy, a British Hen Welfare Trust volunteer who regularly helps at the Didcot rehoming site, said potential adopters were sometimes nervous because they did not know what keeping hens would involve.
He said: “People can worry about the unknowns of keeping hens, but they are friendly, inquisitive and surprisingly low-maintenance. They give so much back.
“We were wrong to wait. We should have got started years earlier. Each hen has a completely different personality, and once you bring them home you quickly realise what wonderful pets they make.”
While hens can become engaging and characterful pets, prospective adopters should be ready for the costs and daily responsibilities involved, including feeding, cleaning, secure housing and veterinary care.
What adopters need before applying
BHWT asks new adopters to have their setup ready before collecting any hens.
This should include a sturdy, weatherproof house and a secure outdoor run with enough room for the size of the flock. The enclosure must also protect the birds from foxes and other predators during both the day and night.
First-time adopters are asked to complete an online questionnaire and provide a photograph of their proposed hen house and run. The charity may then discuss the setup by telephone before confirming the reservation.
Before adopting hens
| Secure housing | A sturdy, weatherproof coop with suitable ventilation, perches and nesting space |
| Fox protection | A properly secured run and housing system rather than relying only on a garden boundary fence |
| Enough space | Room for the hens to move, forage, dust-bathe and avoid conflict within the flock |
| Daily care | Fresh water, appropriate feed, cleaning, observation and secure locking-up each night |
| Veterinary provision | A local practice willing to treat hens, plus money set aside for veterinary care |
| Long-term commitment | Hens may live for several years after leaving the commercial system |
| Legal registration | New keepers must register their birds with the Animal and Plant Health Agency within one month |
Why hens must be adopted as a group
Hens are social animals and should not be kept alone.
The British Hen Welfare Trust normally requires people starting a new flock to reserve at least three birds. It may allow two to be adopted where someone already keeps hens or where the approved housing is suitable only for a smaller number.
The charity sets a maximum of 20 hens for a standard adoption, and the birds reserved together must remain in the same home.
Anyone adding the new arrivals to an existing flock will need to plan the introduction carefully. BHWT advises keeping new hens apart initially and says a quarantine period of up to two weeks can make final integration easier.
Will adopted hens continue laying eggs?
Many former commercial hens continue to lay after adoption, but eggs should be treated as a possible benefit rather than the main reason for offering them a home.
BHWT says it cannot guarantee the future laying ability of any individual bird. Egg numbers commonly decline with age, and shell quality may also change.
The hens may initially be unfamiliar with domestic nest boxes and could lay in unexpected places while settling into their new surroundings.
Adopters should therefore make their decision on the basis that they are taking responsibility for pets, not securing a guaranteed supply of eggs.
New keepers must register their birds
Anyone who begins keeping hens in England must register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency within one month.
The legal requirement applies even to a household keeping only one or two birds as pets.
Registration allows the agency to contact local keepers with guidance if an outbreak of bird flu or another notifiable disease occurs in their area. Keepers must also confirm their details each year and report changes to the number or species of birds they own.
Registration can be completed through the GOV.UK bird keeper registration service.
Bird flu and biosecurity
The nationwide Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was lifted in June 2026, but bird keepers are still expected to take sensible steps to protect their flocks.
That includes keeping housing and equipment clean, limiting contamination from footwear, discouraging wild birds from accessing feed and water, and monitoring hens for signs of illness.
Bird flu is a notifiable disease. Anyone who suspects it in poultry or captive birds must report it to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Because disease controls can change, new adopters should check the latest Government bird flu guidance before collection day.
How the adoption process works
People ready to offer a home can select Didcot on the British Hen Welfare Trust adoption page and complete the requested information.
First-time adopters are asked to complete the housing questionnaire, submit a photograph of the coop and run, and speak to the rehoming team about any outstanding questions.
The charity’s general guidance asks new applications to be submitted by 4pm on the Thursday before a weekend collection. For the Didcot event, that would be Thursday 13 August.
The event announcement gives a final registration cut-off of 2pm on Friday 14 August. Anyone who has not previously adopted through BHWT should apply before Thursday’s earlier deadline to allow time for the necessary checks.
Once approved, adopters receive a collection time, the full Didcot location and instructions for transporting the hens home.
What does it cost to adopt?
The hens are rehomed through a donation rather than sold for a fixed commercial price.
BHWT says £3 per hen contributes towards the cost of its rehoming work. A donation of £6 or more per hen helps fund the Hen Helpline, veterinary education and other welfare projects.
The donation is only a small part of the cost of keeping hens. New owners should also budget for secure housing, feed, bedding, cleaning products, enrichment, repairs and veterinary treatment.
Local veterinary support
Prospective owners should identify a veterinary practice willing to treat poultry before bringing the birds home.
The British Hen Welfare Trust lists Larkmead Vets on Park Road in Didcot as a hen-friendly practice, stating that all its vets will see hens.
Its full national list is available through the charity’s hen-friendly vets directory.
About the British Hen Welfare Trust
The British Hen Welfare Trust was founded in 2005 by Jane Howorth and specialises in finding pet homes for former commercial laying hens.
The charity says it now has 50 collection hubs, is supported by around 1,400 volunteers and rehomes approximately 60,000 hens each year.
It passed the milestone of one million hens rehomed in 2024, when its millionth bird was adopted by King Charles III at Highgrove Gardens.
The British Hen Welfare Trust is registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1147356.
How to apply
People wishing to adopt should visit the British Hen Welfare Trust’s Didcot page and select the adoption option for Sunday 16 August.
The rehoming team can also be contacted on 01884 860084.
As the number of hens still awaiting homes changes whenever a reservation is made, prospective adopters should check the live page rather than relying on the original figure.
FAQs
When is the Didcot hen rehoming event?
The event takes place on Sunday 16 August 2026.
How many hens need homes?
The original announcement said 173 hens needed homes. At the time of checking, the charity’s live page listed 172. The total will continue to change as reservations are made.
Where in Didcot is the collection point?
BHWT only publishes an approximate location. The full address and directions are supplied after an adoption reservation has been confirmed.
How many hens must I adopt?
The charity normally requires new keepers to adopt at least three hens because they are social animals. Limited exceptions may apply for existing flock owners or particular approved housing.
Do the hens cost anything?
BHWT asks for a donation. It says £3 per hen contributes towards running costs, while £6 or more per hen supports its wider welfare work.
Will the hens lay eggs?
Many may continue laying, but BHWT cannot guarantee how many eggs an individual bird will produce or for how long.
Do I need a coop before applying?
Yes. New adopters must have suitable housing and a secure run ready. First-time applicants are asked to provide a photograph of their setup.
Do I need to register pet hens?
Yes. Anyone keeping poultry in England must register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency within one month, even when the birds are kept only as pets.
When is the application deadline?
The Didcot announcement gives 2pm on Friday 14 August as the final registration deadline. First-time adopters should apply earlier because BHWT’s general guidance asks for applications by 4pm on the preceding Thursday.
Where can I apply?
Applications can be made through the BHWT Didcot adoption page or by calling the rehoming team on 01884 860084.
