A RINGWOOD woman is appealing for animal lovers to rehome 9,000 hens before they get the chop.

A staggering 9,000 brown warren hybrids face slaughter in December unless new homes can be found within two weeks.

This is the sixth Hen Rescue campaign Celia Marker has been involved in.

She said: “Can anyone who already has hens or would like to keep them, please contact us as soon as possible?

“Over the last five years, with the support of local people, we will have re-homed about 2,000 hens in this area. Those who had them are still in touch – and some of the people from previous rescues are taking more hens this time.

“At the last rescue we saved all 7,500. But this time it is proving much more difficult.”

The rescue will take place in Cadnam in early December, but in order to save them from slaughter new homes must be identified immediately.

Celia said: “We recommend that hens are ordered in groups of at least five, as they are flock birds and do better that way.”

The birds have been bred specifically for egg laying and not to eat as they are tall and thin.

Hens require a safe run and hen-house, which protects them from foxes and other predators.

New Forest Alpacas at Bartley are enabling the rescue to take place.

“I am so grateful to them. We are hoping the New Forest will be able to find room for lots of hens,” said Celia.

“More and more people enjoy not only freshly laid eggs but the interest of keeping the hens in their garden.”

If you would like to save some hens then ring Celia marker on 01425 472672 or email her at w.marker@sky.com