Rehoming end-of-lay hens position statement

However, we fully appreciate that some members may wish to rehome end-of-lay hens. Any RSPCA Assured members wishing to do so can apply to RSPCA Assured for an exception agreement to permit rehoming.

These applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and only granted in very exceptional circumstances, where we are confident that it’s within the best interests of the hens’ welfare to be rehomed. Therefore, any exception request must be supported by a clear rehoming plan detailing how suitable homes will be found for the hens, including transport arrangements, or collaboration with a reputable organisation that has appropriate rehoming processes in place. Any exception request that is granted would only cover the rehoming of hens from one flock, and any member wishing to rehome hens again would need to reapply for another exception.

Hens have complex needs and keeping them in a domestic environment is a significant commitment requiring specialist care, space, enrichment and accommodation, which also protects them from predators. It’s a legal requirement for anyone keeping hens to also register their flock with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). They must also be able to make provision for them during periods of disease outbreak, such as the current housing order which is in place in England and Wales for avian influenza (bird flu) and requires all keepers of more than 50 poultry and captive birds and/or those who sell or give eggs away from any number of birds, to house them indoors for their protection. These are just a handful of the things that need to be considered when rehoming hens, but there are many more.

Therefore, whilst it’s sad to think of end-of-life hens going to slaughter, the reality is that most people cannot provide adequate conditions for hens, and it's vitally important they don’t end up in unsuitable environments where they can’t be properly cared for. Animal rescue centres up and down the country already have many hens desperately looking for new homes because their previous owners couldn’t meet their needs.

Unfortunately, the large number of hens on commercial farms means neither the RSPCA nor RSPCA Assured have the resources to carry out the necessary welfare checks on prospective keepers or to facilitate rehoming directly. RSPCA standards also set strict limits on transport time to protect welfare, which we are not resourced to manage in a rehoming context.

The RSPCA farm animals team is continuing to explore options to support the rehoming of hens in a way that further safeguards higher welfare standards.