Six new residents arrive in Sipson

A couple of weeks ago, Grow Heathrow welcomed six new feathered additions to the site. Via Fresh Start For Hens – an organisation of hard-working and dedicated volunteer battery hen rehomers – we were able to take delivery of six newly released hens.

The question that had kept the greatest minds in history puzzled could now be answered – the chickens came first. Although, as they were being unpacked from their travel boxes and introduced to their new home, we discovered that a couple of eggs had been laid en route. Grow Heathrow’s first freshly laid eggs (still warm to the touch) were passed round from hand to hand as if they were trophies or some precious jewel. These hens were obviously eager to get laying – hopefully a trend that will continue.

Making friends with the new arrivals

The hens’ first few days at the site were spent in their new coop, getting used to the strange smells and noises to be found around Heathrow. We had been warned to expect our chickens to be a little confused for the first few days, and that’s pretty much how it turned out, but it didn’t take them long to regain their natural chickeny instincts. Negotiating the ladder up to the roost proved a little tricky for some, but it only took a bit of coaxing before they were tucking themselves in at night, ready for us to shut the trapdoor to keep them safe from any prowling urban foxes.

As fine a residence as the ark-style chicken coop we’d obtained for them was, we knew that a long term solution for happy chickens would involve a proper run to allow our flock to stretch their legs and scratch around in the ground. We set about with some salvaged wood, a few rolls of chicken wire, and a big box of screws, and in a couple of days had constructed a decent enclosure.

The new chicken run

From happy chickens come tasty eggs, and from the looks of things, the Heathrow hens are a happy bunch indeed. Having a regular supply of fresh eggs means that we can enjoy healthy, delicious meals every day without needing to deal with the many ethical dilemmas involved in buying eggs at the supermarket. Most of our leftovers can be added to their feed tray, which reduces our food waste, and the manure they produce can be turned into excellent fertilizer for our plants. Overall it is another step towards our ambitions of truly sustainable living.