Aucklanders rescue 100 free-range egg hens from slaugher

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Aucklanders have saved 100 free-range egg hens from slaughter.

Homes have been found for the brown shaver hens which were due to be culled on a free-range farm in the region.

Animal refuge New Beginnings Rescue and Rehoming​ had until Friday to find homes in Auckland for the brown shavers, which at 18 months old were moulting and having a breather from egg laying.

Chickens live eight years on average but hens only productively lay eggs in the first two years of their lives.

Dani ​Prance, who runs the refuge in Taranaki and Auckland’s Rodney District, said the hens were adopted by families in homes ranging from townhouses to big farms.

Prance said she was thrilled the rescue was over.

“Those girls now all get to enjoy a forever home where they can eat loads of bugs, have dirt baths and a lot of grass.”

She said three quarters of the birds were re-homed on Saturday and the rest on Sunday.

“Once the last girls were gone it was time to clean up the equipment we transport in and then finally get some proper sleep.”

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