Designer Woollies for Chilly Chickens

Little Hen Rescue, in Norwich, was set up by 29 year old Jo Eglen, to give intensively reared chickens sanctuary and a happy and fruitful egg-laying retirement. Since opening its doors last year, her centre has rescued and re-homed around 10,000 ex-battery hens.

“They need our jumpers to keep warm until their feathers grow back. One member has even made a Kashmir sweater – they’re getting better clothes than us,” knitter Ann Orton told the Teesdale Mercury. Originally, the organisation used silver foil sheets, as seen on marathon runners, but the crinkly rustling made the hens panic. “We’re having great fun making the jumpers – we call them Chux Tux,” Ann said. “We’ve had so many different kinds – Christmas-themed, multi-coloured ones and some with bows and stripes,” Jo added.

The organisation, which now has 20 volunteers, believes it is currently rescuing more hens because consumers are reverting to free range eggs. High-profile television chefs, who have spoken out against poor conditions, have persuaded many supermarkets to phase out the sale of battery eggs. By 2012, new government regulations will require farmers to radically improve facilities, which is also prompting them to move away from intensive production. “Some of the rescued hens go to homes as pets to roam around the back garden. Others have gone to stable yards and the Battery Hen Welfare Trust has taken about 2,500 birds from us,” Jo explained. “As long as all the birds have gone to good homes, that’s the main thing; none are going back to commercial premises.”

The Little Hen Rescue forum is a thriving community, where both new and experienced hen-keepers alike can get all the support they need. “Once you adopt your girls, you will not be alone,” says Jo. For those who cannot provide a permanent home, there are also short term fostering programmes on offer or hen sponsoring schemes to take part in instead – and for those who can spare a few hours knitting, more winter-warmer jumpers are always a woolly, welcome gift.

For a knitting pattern
Contact: Little Hen Rescue,
The Stables, Greenways,
Norwich, NR15 1QL
Website: www.littlehenrescue.co.uk