HUNDREDS of chickens are in need of new homes after being saved from slaughter.

The British Hen Welfare Trust is working tirelessly to re-home 300 ex-commercial hens saved from slaughter this weekend and will be holding a collection in Crowthorne this Sunday, September 17.

Hundreds of hens will be hoping to start their free range retirement in back gardens across the county, however there are still 200 hens yet to find their loving forever home and the charity is appealing to animal lovers in Berkshire to give the girls a new lease of life.

Gaynor Davies, the charity’s Head of Operations, said: “There is no better feeling than watching these girls flourish after they emerge from the commercial system. They have a full bill of health and will soon become much-loved pets, often described as cats and dogs with feathers.

“If you’ve ever considered giving some ex-bats a home my only advice would be to do it. You won’t regret it.”

The charity urges anyone interested in giving a few down-on-their-cluck hens a second chance to register on their website at www.bhwt.org.uk and then call 01884 860084.