Basingstoke Fresh Start For Hens

Another 89 lovely but feisty hens rehomed from Basingstoke yesterday!

The hens are hylines. :) They are from a flock of 5,000 (We collected the other half last week).

They were owned by a lovely lady farmer called Sharon in East Sussex. She treats the hens with homoeopathic remedies that she makes herself.

Thank you to those who rehomed from us and gave these hardworking hens their retirement homes, and of course thanks to the amazing Basingstoke team, the farm team, drivers and admin who work tirelessly to secure homes all year round for thousands of hens!

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FUN FACT FRIDAY ………

This is known as a WHITE BANDED EGG and anyone who has rehomed hens straight from a commercial farm may have seen one.
The white banding occurs when two eggs come into contact with each other in the shell gland. When this happens, normal calcification is interrupted. The first egg, which has been retained in the shell gland, will receive an extra layer of calcium seen as the white band marking.
The delay in laying the first egg can be caused by any stress, but in the case of the ex commercial hens, the delay occurs because of the stress of rehoming day.
These hens are SO lucky to be going to their forever homes but to do so they must be crated early in the morning and be transported to collection points all over England and Wales. It is only then that they get a chance to rest, to eat and to drink.
Often it’s not until the next day that they lay the egg that was on its way down the oviduct on rehoming day. By that time a second has also arrived in the shell gland.
Of course, once in their forever homes, normal egg laying resumes.

. *** FLY STRIKE ***

It doesn’t happen often, but if it does, you need to know what to do - this is an EMERGENCY.

The following is a protocol used by many vets:

Flush the area with water to flatten down the feathers. This will allow you to see the extent of the problem more clearly and will also flush away a few of the maggots.
Next, spray the area with F10 spray. This contains permethrin and the maggots will start to die immediately. Physically remove the maggots as they are dying using the F10 spray, a shower head on a gentle setting and manually with forceps/tweezers.
Removing all the maggots is important because toxins are released when the maggots die.
Keep flushing and spraying until you are sure every maggot has been removed and there are no remaining fly eggs.
Pain relief is important at this stage, the damage inflicted by the maggots is very painful. Meloxicam is the usual medication used.
One application of Ivermectin can be given as it will kill any maggots that you have missed.
A dose of EXZOLT can also be given at this stage (see later).

Shock can be a serious complication when treating fly strike. Once the initial treatment is complete, dry your hen with a hair dryer on a warm setting and put her somewhere where she can relax and feels safe. A dog crate is ideal and food and water need to be readily available. Nutridrops or Critical Care Formula are beneficial too.

Fly eggs are small and look a bit like sawdust. When they hatch, the maggots burrow down into the flesh. Often the first thing you see is a poorly hen with a wet area around the vent.
Provided the damage is not too severe, the resulting open wound will heal. Applying Leucillin or Vetericyn twice daily will help to counter any superficial infection. It is amazing how quickly these wounds can heal.
The hen is vulnerable to repeat attacks so attention to the cause is important. A vent area that is soiled with faeces is the most common initiating factor. Treat any causes of diarrhoea such as too much green vegetables or worms.
Exzolt can be given to help prevent a repeat attack in the early stages. Exzolt will kill maggots as soon as they hatch and start to feed. The two doses a week apart will give your hen a month of protection.
F10 Germicidal Barrier Ointment can also be used as a preventative.

Provided you are well prepared, hens can survive even quite severe damage if you treat promptly.

List of materials and equipment needed:
F10 Germicidal wound spray
Shower head
Tweezers
Ivermectin
Leucillin/Vetericyn
Meloxicam (prescription only)
Exzolt (prescription only)
Nettex Nutridrops or Critical Care Formula
Dog crate and cage cups
F10 Germicidal Barrier Ointment or Battles Summer Fly Cream

https://www.viovet.co.uk/F10-Products-Germicidal-Wound-Spray-with-Insecticide/c22592/
Contains cypermethrin

Everyone collecting hens this weekend please remember to bring suitable secure carriers with adequate ventilation.

If you missed this week's hens we are open again 20th July, reserve on the website www.freshstartforhens.co.uk to book now as these hens are going fast!

Can anyone rehome this little guy? Please contact Katie Warner in comments.

64 fabulous hens from Cornwall rehomed with us today, plus a gorgeous little bantam boy.
These hens were in super condition, lucky rehomers today even if a couple of the boxes were a little inappropriate 😳

Next date 15 June, reserve on our website www.freshstartforhens.co.uk

We have been asked to help find a new home for Nellie, 4 years old and still lays 2/3 eggs a week. Nellie is blind in one eye and sadly her companion died on Easter Monday so she is now alone.

The owner doesn't want to get more hens but doesn't want Nellie to be on her own. We are looking for a happy safe environment for her to spend her last few years with just one or two gentle friends due to her poor sight. Please do not apply if you currently have more than 2-3 hens.

We will need photos of your setup and ask a donation to FSFH if you are accepted. Basingstoke area.

We've had a break due to volunteers availability, but we're now back!
Next rehome 20th April, reserve soon as availability is limited.
Www.freshstartforhens.co.uk

Anyone looking for a second hand Grandpa feeder, this is advertised locally... contact seller directly please

https://www.facebook.com/groups/392226717565629/permalink/7164493480338885/

Our last rehome in Basingstoke this year!
67 lucky ladies plus one frizzle cockerel and his companion rehomed today.

Massive thanks to all of you who support us, rehome with us, and volunteer with us. We couldn't do this without you 💕

Can anyone help?

Trying to rehome these two. I took them in as a foster 3 weeks ago but the frizzle now identifies as a roo. He’s 12 weeks old. The hen is 4 years old and is his hatch mum but not biological mum. They’re still very bonded and she cuddles him at night. But being a roo I’m not allowed to keep him.

Based in Lychpit, Basingstoke.

Please share to find these two a new 🏡
Contact Laura in comments.

Anyone lost one of their flock? Hook/Greywell area I believe.

Can anyone help?
2 gorgeous hens and 1 duck need a new home together, Basingstoke area.....

Please contact Nicola in comments....

UPDATE..... EMAILS NOW SENT!
please reply to your email to confirm your collection time.

Rehomers for this Saturday 5th August

We are still finalising logistics, van routes etc so your collection emails have been slightly delayed. We will be getting in touch as soon as possible once details are confirmed.

Be sure to keep checking your junk folder too!

44 absolutely stunning hens rehomed today, plus one lucky cockerel!

Thanks to all volunteers today, dodging the heavy showers to get these hens rehomed.

Our August dates are already fully reserved, watch this page for new autumn dates.

This is Mima.
Sadly Mima finds himself lonely after his mate died last night, we are looking to rehome some friends for him, large ducks as he is quite big.
Preferably females. Location Berkshire (J11, M4)

Please message Millie directly (see comments) if you have ducks needing a new home... 🦆🦆

Huge thanks to all our rehomers who collected from Basingstoke yesterday. Apologies again for the change of times (twice!) It was a hot and stressful day for us and the poor hens!

Hope they are now settling into their new homes and enjoying retirement.
104 lucky girls yesterday, 2 poorlies staying here for tlc ❤️

Still time to reserve for our next date Saturday 15th April 🐔🐔🐔 Www.freshstartforhens.co.uk

Dumped cockerels!
A local lady has had these boys thrown over her fence! She's keeping them safe but needs to rehome them asap. Can anyone give a home to a gorgeous boy? 🐓🐓
Please contact Paula on 07785507201
Aldermaston/Tadley area, North Hampshire

THANK YOU to all today's rehomers, 124 hens off to forever homes with 3 staying overnight for collection tomorrow.
These hens will flourish with a bit of tlc and soon regrow their feathers. They were a bit flighty, I think our catching team will be a bit tired tonight!

125 hens spending their final night on the farm, and heading to Basingstoke collection point tomorrow! Going to be a busy day 🐔🐔🐔🐓

Our first rehome this year will be on 11th March. Please reserve on www.freshstartforhens.co.uk

Last rehome for 2022 today, 50 ladies off to their retirement homes. Couldn't resist the photo opportunity here, headline on the newspaper in the crate reads "make mine a ginger"!
Ginger girls are the best!
Oh... and one fabulous big lad on the van being transported to his forever home 🏡 ❤

⚠️ A national Avian Influenza housing order is being put in place across England.

From Monday 7 November, all bird keepers in England must house their birds indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect against Bird Flu.

👉 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-housing-order-to-be-introduced-across-england