Friendly, inquisitive, and social, chickens have made wonderful animal companions for centuries, and we’re no different in loving their company. We care for a number of rescued hens here at Goodheart Farm Animal Sanctuary, and it brings us great joy to see them strutting around our garden, dust bathing in the yard, and generally enjoying life here at the sanctuary.
Natural habitat
Chickens are native to Southeast Asia where they live in dense, leafy jungles.
Social structure
Chickens are very social and live together in flocks. They live under a strict hierarchy known as 'the pecking order' where more dominant birds are given priority to food and nesting sites.
Diet
Chickens are omnivores. They feed on seeds, berries, insects, and even small lizards or rodents.
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Chicken care at Goodheart
Join Animal Care Assistant Izzy and Dorothy the hen to learn all about the high standard of care we give all our rescued chickens here at the sanctuary.
Lockdown lifts for our feathered friends
On 1st of April 2021, Avian Flu restrictions were lifted, meaning that our rescued birds could be let out again after nearly four months of lockdown! It makes us very happy to see them out enjoying the sanctuary to its fullest once again.
Fascinating chicken behaviours
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Farmed vs Free
Most chickens have a natural lifespan of around 10 years but same may live up to 15 years! Hens rescued from industry sadly may not live this long, even when kept as pets, due to their stressful start in life.
In an intensive egg laying system, hens will typically be slaughtered when their egg production declines (typically around 1.5 years old). In intensive industrial systems, broiler hens (those reared for meat) are slaughtered when they are just over a month old.
Natural life expectancy
15 years
Chickens reared for meat
1 month
Chickens reared for meat
1 month
Life in an intensive farming system
- Caged systems make up 48% of UK egg production. In these systems, hens are kept in cramped, poorly ventilated systems with no access to natural light.
- Broiler hens have their eggs removed immediately and placed in an incubator for 21 days until they hatch. The day-old chicks are then put into huge, overcrowded, dimly lit sheds holding tens of thousands of hens
- The floors of the sheds are covered in litter to absorb droppings and are only cleaned when the chickens are sent for slaughter. The birds’ eyes and respiratory systems can be damaged by the ammonia from the droppings which can also cause painful burns on their chest and feet called hock burns
- Because of the speed that intensively reared chickens grow, they spend much of their time lying down unable to move as their legs aren’t strong enough to hold the weight of their heavy bodies.
Life at our sanctuary
- At Goodheart, our chickens are fully free range. During the day, they have free roam of the sanctuary site and can often be seen dust-bathing in the barn or scratching in the soil for tasty insects.
- At night, our chickens are kept in secure pens with constant access to an outside area with plenty of space, food, water, perches, and enrichment opportunities.
- We health-check and weigh our chickens regularly and keep an eye on their social hierarchy to make sure that no individual hen is being bullied by more dominant birds.
- Our hens continue to lay eggs which we cook (shell on) and feed back to them as a means of replenishing the calcium they lose during the process of egg-laying.
Our Goodheart Home for Rescued Hens Appeal
Learn more about our exciting new project which will help us rescue hundreds more hens in desperate need of our help.
Find out why hens need our help and how you can support our work...
Feeling motivated? Why not fundraise for rescued animals? Find everything you need to get started here.
