Charity re-homes its 600,000th hen at Kensington Gardens

The charity, which has been in operation for 12 years, takes birds at the end of their commercially viable laying life and offers them as pet hens.

Link with royalty

The hen that took the charity to 600,000 birds re-homed was 1 of 6 that will spend their remaining days at Kensington Gardens allotments. It is the first time hens from the charity have a link with royalty, the BHWT said.

Kensington Gardens was once a part of Hyde Park and forms part of the Kensington Palace grounds. The palace is currently the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who recently revealed that they keep 5 chickens of their own at their Norfolk home.

Chickens will join existing coop

Andrew Williams, park manager at Kensington Gardens, said: “We’re looking forward to giving these 6 hens the home that they haven’t had so far.

“They’ll join our small but perfectly formed existing coop of hens, along with Bertie the rooster to enjoy a nice life here at Kensington Gardens.”

Jane Howorth MBE, charity founder, added: “I could never have dreamed when I founded this charity that one day our hens would be re-homed within royal grounds! It’s a real rags to riches story and goes to show the widespread appeal that keeping ex-bats has. I would encourage anyone thinking about it to give us a call and save some lives. Hens change lives – for the better!