So well named!

Alerted by a Facebook post about an abandoned hen in a park near a busy road, our kind-heart sprang into action. The lateness of the hour did nothing to deter this compassionate response. First they brought the hen to the safety of their home; the next stop: sanctuary.

Here, the naturally curious Dora took no time to investigate her new surrounds, and unbeknown to her she found a nest in our hearts. “What a sweet little lady,” was our universal thought. Our next one was how she came to be where she was.

Dora’s story is just one of many. We feel the brunt of an ever-growing number of backyard hens, and this is mirrored in a rise in abandoned and lost ones. Known for their friendly temperament, hardiness and exponential egg-laying capabilities, these feathered wonders need to be viewed as much more than cheap egg-laying machines, as they sadly so often are.

And while they may “lay us eggs” (an expression we so often hear), the burden this lays upon their ageing and worn-out little bodies is tremendous.

With every breath that Dora takes comes the fear of reproductive disorders, osteoporosis, calcium deficiencies, egg binding, prolapsed vent and respiratory issues – things that are all too common among undeserving backyard hens. Such an enormous toll should never be inflicted upon animals simply for human desires.

The tragedy is that so few are aware of this hidden suffering. Dora’s story encourages us to explore better, kinder and healthier alternatives to eggs, from chia seeds and flax seeds to chickpea flour and tofu.

And while there are many challenges for hens like Dora, there can be hope and happiness in their stories, too. One of these is seen in the way Dora’s new carer, our team member Graham, cradles her in his arms. Lovingly taking her home, Dora now has an entirely new world to explore – Graham’s backyard. Here, she shall spend the rest of her days exploring with equally fortunate other hens – something that comes without the expectation of eggs.