Learn about Hens

Comb & Wattles
The comb sits on top of the hen’s head and in a healthy hen is likely to be red, plump and glossy, this often denotes

Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day. There are many causes for diarrhoea such as infection,

Egg Eating
It can be very frustrating to find broken eggshell in a nest box and to find that the hens have started an egg eating habit.

Elderly Hens
As with any other pet, hens suffer from age-related problems and may need extra attention as they age, but with good care hens can live

Hermaphrodites
It is a well-documented fact that female chickens (hens) can take on the characteristics and behaviour of male chickens and essentially turn into cockerels. How

Moulting
Moulting is a normal process and all part of a hen’s natural cycle. It allows hens to shed damaged or loose feathers and replace them

Obesity in Chickens
The dangers of feeding our cats and dogs too many treats are well known. However, being treat-wise applies not only to our four-legged friends, but

Respiration
Respiration Chickens have a specialised system for getting oxygen into their bodies and removing carbon dioxide. In doing so they employ an efficient combination of

Uropygial Gland (Preen or Oil Gland)
Owners of feather-bare ex-bats will sometimes report a strange growth or tumour at the base of the hen’s tail. This is a normal part of

Vaccination
All hens adopted through the British Hen Welfare Trust have received the full set of vaccinations required by commercial systems listed below in red. Commercial