Harwich: Chicken Rescue UK branch celebrates first year

Community interest run company Chicken Rescue UK opened its Harwich branch at the start of this year and in the process has given chickens, hens and ducks a second chance at life.

Jon and Joe Nutkins run the Harwich collection point for Chicken Rescue UK and they have kept both chickens and ducks for several years, including birds that came from welfare cases.

Having been familiar with how chicken rescue charities run, Jon suggested they look to helping a chicken charity.

Rehomed - Hens (Image: Submitted)

Joe said: “As we had given chickens a home via Chicken Rescue UK several times, we knew we liked their ethics and ways of doing things so reached out to the team to offer to become a collection point for the Harwich area. 

“Volunteers for animal charities are always in demand and Chicken Rescue UK were pleased to hear from us. 

“Having a collection point in the Harwich area was welcomed as the team often receive requests for a collection point for people in the local villages as well as Harwich itself.

"Having so many rural areas around Harwich it came as no surprise that there is demand for a collection point for rescue chickens in the area.”

She added: “This first year running the Harwich Chicken Rescue UK has gone even better than expected. 

“We’ve found homes for more than 500 birds - chickens plus ducks. 

“We’ve met a lot of people doing it. People like to come and see the girls outside while they wait for their new owners. 

“It’s fulfilling to be part of a charity to give life to birds that would go to slaughter if they weren’t rescued.”

Group - ducks (Image: Submitted)

Chicken Rescue UK is operated exclusively by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis. 

Their mission is a commitment to saving the lives of commercial laying hens across the UK.

The company is associated with a number of farmers around the UK from whom they purchase hens in order to provide them with new, loving homes.