More than 100 chickens have been saved from squalid conditions after two north-east charities teamed up to find them homes.
New Arc and Willows Animal Sanctuary both opened their doors to take in 110 commercial hens that were about to be killed because they could no longer produce eggs.
The birds, many of which are missing patches of feathers and are in poor health, can now look forward to living out the rest of their lives in better conditions.
Some were in such a poor state of health, however, that they have had to go home with volunteers to be hand-reared back to full health.
But while they will recover, thousands more were culled before the charities had the chance to intervene.
The New Arc team, based near Ellon, believes every animal deserves a chance at life – and never puts a healthy one down.
The charity has chosen to keep the farm where the hens came from anonymous.
And last night, founder Keith Marley said people had to realise that these hens – frail and near death – were an insight into the conditions some “free-range” birds were living in.
“They are in a hell of a condition,” he said.
“Sadly, this is where people’s free-range eggs come from. And there were thousands of them – multiple thousand.
“I don’t think places like that should be allowed to keep chickens, but the fact is we have been able to save 110 of them and that makes a difference to them.
“However, there may be another 50 or 60,000 chickens out there that will end up in this condition in a year’s time. These places need to be monitored more closely.”
Mr Marley expected to lose about 10% of the chickens overnight due to their condition.
However, the plucky hens have pulled through so far.
A spokeswoman for Willows, near Fraserburgh, said: “We were delighted to be able to help and these little ones will be given time to recover and enjoy the rest of their lives in safety.”
