The Omlet Blog

Rosie’s Chicken Keeping Adventure – Rehoming and Getting Settled

Social Media Executive Rosie has been at Omlet for a year, and when she was asked by her managers if she was interested in broadening her chicken knowledge (and creating fun content for Omlet’s social media platforms) with her very own flock, she said yes straight away.

Since we last spoke to Rosie a few weeks ago, she has rescued 5 ex-caged hens that now live in her garden in their very own Eglu Cube chicken coop. We caught up with Rosie to see what the first few days as a chicken keeper has been like.


man holding rescue chicken and chickens in run

Why did you decide to rescue in the end?

We went to see some breeders, but none of them had any Buff Orpingtons available, which are one of Max’s favourite breeds. He’s always been keen on the idea of rescuing though, so one evening I went on BHWT’s website and realised there was an adoption pickup in the next village that same weekend. It seemed like a sign. 

Now I’m really happy that we did, it adds another level seeing them be so happy when they’ve had a rubbish start to their lives. 

What was the experience of picking them up?

It was all very well organised and efficient! I received an email telling us where and when to collect the hens, and the volunteers were super kind and helpful when we got there too. 

We had originally reserved four hens, but they had a few extras and we couldn’t resist taking one more home with us! We knew these particular rescue hens were ex-caged hens, but I actually expected them to look way worse than they did. Three of them are in a pretty bad state in terms of feathers, and one has a bit of a wonky beak, but they all seem relatively healthy. I can’t wait to see their transformation in a few months! 

While I put the hens in the dog crate we had brought and got them in the car Max got talking to the volunteers. They do the full rehoming process in one day to minimise the stress for the poor hens. Such a crazy thought they were in cages that same morning, and now we were taking them home to our garden.

What were the first days like?

We put them in the coop for a few hours to get them used to it, then let them out into the run. It was amazing seeing them have all these firsts. We have wood chips in the Walk in Run, but under the coop there’s a bit of grass, and they were absolutely amazed by it. They were pecking and scratching like crazy. 

I couldn’t stop watching them explore. We picked them up and put them back in the coop the first night, but looking back I’m not sure we would have had to, because on the second night they all climbed back in by themselves when it was bedtime. Fast learners! 

There was a bit of squabbling the first days, I could tell they were working on the pecking order. I was prepared for fighting and bullying, but it really wasn’t very bad. The top hen makes sure she gets to eat first, and if someone tries to cut the queue she gives them a peck, but once she’s finished she’s happy for the others to have their go.

girl with rescue chicken and chicken eating corn from hand

Have they produced any eggs?

Yes, lots. I’ve been giving quite a few to Mum as she’s been baking cakes for my nieces’ birthdays, but there’s still plenty for me and Max. I’m sure I’ll be bringing them into the office soon! 

How is your dog finding it?

When we first let her out in the garden after the hens had moved in she would stand by the run and stare at them and whine – she really wanted to get in and meet them. She leaves them alone when you tell her though, and she’s already losing interest, so I hope they’ll get along. 

A funny thing is that when I let her out in the garden unsupervised she doesn’t even go close to the coop. I was watching her from the window and she was just doing her own thing, but as soon as we’re in the garden with her and give the chickens any attention she suddenly wants to join in. So there’s probably a bit of jealousy there. 

The chickens are not scared of her at all though. When she stands by the run they walk straight up to the mesh and look at her.

Any surprises? 

I’m a bit surprised by how much I already like them. When I’m working from home I go out and see them a few times every day – they’re definitely time wasters, but in a good way. Everyone at work is saying how much I talk about them already, I’m quickly becoming a crazy chicken lady! 

They have got really tame super quickly. To begin with they would run away when we came close, but now they take corn from my hand and let us hold them. I knew Max would love being a chicken keeper, and he’s really enjoying it, but I didn’t think I would get this attached so quickly.

Now they are used to their home I am going to let them out to explore the garden a bit more, I’m really looking forward to that. 

dog in front of omlet eglu cube chicken coop

This entry was posted in Chickens


4 replies on “Rosie’s Chicken Keeping Adventure – Rehoming and Getting Settled”

Andy Chamberlain says:

Brilliant article. I only have 4 of my adopted birds left. One died suddenly and gave me a scare re Avian flu. It was not nice having to the picture to send to DEFRA but they de idea it wasn’t bird flu and didn’t send their Vet. I had been told if is bird flu they will all be dead in 24 hrs. It is a really potent virus and we’ll worthing keeping to the guidelines. I have had my adopted birds over a year now and the change is amazing. When I first got them they looked a bit flat but now they have filled out and look great. When I let them out into the garden they love it. They have created their own dirt bath spot.
I would definitely recommend hen rehoming. I had an egg in the first couple of hours. From the 4 I get 2/3 eggs a day. I sell a few and the is still more than enough for me. In fact I modified my 2 egg poacher to 3. Hope the cholesterol level is OK lol.

raymond mcilreavy says:

Well done for rescuing those five girls . We started off with 3 got another 4 another 2 and lastly a couple of weeks back another 3. We have two omlet cubes and our girls love them

Jacky says:

We rescued @ 8 years ago & our babies have sadly passed now. Get them a yellow trear ball to out corn in. They are very good footballers x

Mr. Daniel Cowen says:

Thinking about getting 2 rescued birds

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