AN animal sanctuary owner has been re-homing unwanted battery hens after new rules came in banning battery cages.

The new rules ban farmers from packing hens into tiny cages while they lay eggs.

Following the new legislation, farmers have been getting rid of their battery hens.

Julie Menzies, who runs Willow Wildlife Animal Sanctuary in Kirby Cross, has arranged to re-home around 700 battery hens from a Colchester farm.

She does not have room to home them herself, but has been finding new homes for them across Essex.

If they were not re-homed then they would likely be slaughtered.

Julie said: “It is wonderful that this is now being enforced, and it should have been happening well before now.

“It is a huge undertaking to try and arrange new homes for so many hens. I’m going to have my hands full, but it is worth it.

“These hens are going to go to nice homes and have proper lives for the first time, and I am delighted to be able to help with that.”

The ban on battery cages came into effect on January 1.

Julie hopes to have all 700 hens re-homed by January 10.

Instead of being in the tiny cages, hens will now be kept in ‘colony cages’, giving them enough space to stretch their wings.

Julie added: “The new rules are a good start, but they don’t go far enough."