Friday 19th November 2010

The RSPCA in Chesterfield is urging people to consider buying Free range eggs after accepting 60 ex-battery hens into their kennels at Spital.

At 18 months old, they are deemed to be no longer any use to the owner as they may not lay regularly every day.

Richard Woodwards, Manager at the centre, accepts that the cost of Free Range Eggs is often higher but is urging us to think about the cost to the laying bird in animal welfare terms.



These hens (pictured above) came to the centre last week. Having been cooped up in a battery farm for all their 18 months of life, staff told us they didn't have a clue what to do when released into their new surroundings.

They had, said Richard, "No idea how to forage for food, to roost or to distinguish between day and night - they have been used to living in a cage where temperature and light was the same all the time and food was provided by a chute.

"Wind, rain and light - all these things were new to the birds. There was", he says "total silence for the first few days - they didn’t even know how to cluck."

Having pecked at each other in captivity they will need to regrow feathers but Richard is hopeful that they will,"feather up nicely in no time at all".

Gradually over the week they have become used to 'being chickens' and are learning to adjust to their new life. Several have been re-homed already but more homes need to be found.

They're good layers still and are beginning to get their feathers back and fatten up. Richard says that they make good pets, and are available immediately at a price of £4 per bird.

Once these 60 are re homed the centre will receive more from other farms.

RECENT STORIES

Brrrrr RABBIT! -
The RSPCA has issued an URGENT appeal for homes for 22 rabbits that have been brought to their kennels in Spital this week. More...

STAVELEY MWFC'S GENEROUS GESTURE FOR SCOUTS CANADA TRIP -
A local company has made a generous donation towards a local scout group’s Canada trip after reading about the fundraising efforts in The Chesterfield Post. More...

ARE YOU UP FOR A CHALLENGE? -
Fairplay is a registered charity, dedicated to helping children with additional needs and their families. More...

LOVE LIGHTS UP HOSPICE -
Ashgate Hospice would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who dedicated a light in this year's Lights of Love switch on More...

LOCAL CHILDREN AND B&Q MAKE XMAS SPARKLE FOR ASHGATE -
A Primary School in Chesterfield has helped to spread a little Christmas joy after a tree they decorated took pride of place at Ashgate Hospice. More...

RSPCA APPEAL -
The RSPCA is appealing for what it calls a 'special home for a very special pup' - a near-blind rottweiler called 'Mac' and his best friend - a kitten called 'Boyd'. More...

YOUR VOTE COUNTS -
The Football League would like your help to help them decide which charity The League should select to be its Official Charity Partner for Season 2010/11. More...

WILL YOU SHINE A LIGHT OF LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR -
Will you be remembering someone special this Christmas? It was that time of year again, another summer had flown by and there was more than a nip in the air. More...

"BACK OF THE NET!" KICKING CASH FOR CHARITY -
Students from Chesterfield College gave a local charity a boost as they took part in a penalty shoot out to raise cash for Ashgate Hospice.More...

BEING CRUEL TO BE KIND? -
Chesterfield RSPCA are investigating the circumstances behind one of the most bizarre they've seen in 10 years at the Charity. More...

WIRKSWORTH ROTARY 5k SANTA FUN RUN -
The Rotary Club Of Wirksworth are staging a 5k 'Santa' fun-Run for the Rainbows and Ashgate Hospice Charities on Sunday 5th December 2010 at Carsington Water More...

A LONELY GOAT
HERD -
If you're an experienced goat owner (or a Military Regiment looking for your Regimental Mascot), with land to spare, then Chesterfield RSPCA is asking you to consider helping them. More...

PUPPY LOVE UPDATE -
The RSPCA in Chesterfield confirms that a woman claiming to be the owner of the pups has contacted them and after checks, they have been reunited. More...

PUPPY LOVE -
RSPCA bosses are appealing for help in tracing the people who dumped Barnaby and Benji last week in a Chesterfield field. More...

REMEMBER THEM -
The Chesterfield branch of the Royal British Legion is asking residents to do just that and buy a poppy as the town launched it's annual Poppy Appeal Saturday. More...

BARGAIN HUNT BONANZA -
There was everything to pay for as the Mayor and Mayoress took part in a charity Bargain Hunt on Chesterfield's very own flea market on Thursday, More...

WHY YOU REALLY SHOULD "GO TO SPECSAVERS" THIS WEEKEND -
Have you ever looked at the 'Mr Men' characters and thought, what about one called Mr ??? More...

ASHGATE WINTER BALL, 27/11/10 -
Ashgate Hospice are holding their 'WINTER BALL' on Saturday 27th November, 7pm for 7:30 until 1am at The Winding Wheel in Chesterfield. More...

MARIE CURIE CANCER CARE LOOKING FOR SUPPORTERS HELP -
Derbyshire Fundraiser, Laura Read is inviting anyone who is interested to come along to an informal meeting. More...

DROP IN CENTRE OPENS IT'S DOORS -
The Nenna Kind centre is situated in Room 5 on the 2nd floor of the Market Hall and offers support and advice in a welcoming environment for anyone affected by cancer. More...

HOPE FOR AFRICA -
As children in Chesterfield prepare to return to school this week one charity is promoting the message that  ‘In Africa, education is a privilege not a right‘. More...