Give a hen a home

We rehome our lovely Hyline hens when they turn 18 months old, this occurs every 3-6 months. These ladies have spent their lives on pasture, roaming free and foraging all day long. However, as they age, their egg production naturally slows down.

Despite this, they still lay at least 3-4 eggs a week during the usual laying season and have a few good laying years left in them. Unlike most commercial egg producers, we have pledged to rehome our hens rather than cull them. Being a small operation, we are able to find new homes for our ladies, allowing them to live out their lives as they deserve.

Our next rehoming: Sunday 16th August 2026

Because of the current H5 bird flu situation, we're bringing this rehoming forward.

These girls are around 16 months old, which is younger than we would normally rehome them.

We're making this decision while the hens are healthy and while we still have the ability to move them easily. It gives us an opportunity to reduce the number of birds on our farm while we adjust to the changing future of pasture raised egg production and work out what that looks like for Sunnybank Farm.

Details:

• Price: $10 per hen (or what you can afford)
• Rehoming date: Sunday 16th August 2026
• Collection: 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Payment: Cash or card
• Please bring: Your own boxes or crates. Hens need to be transported safely and securely.
• Minimum order: None.
You can give one hen a home or take several. However, chickens are social animals and are happiest with company, so if you don't already have hens at home, we'd recommend taking at least 3.

A note about H5 bird flu

We're currently navigating an evolving H5 bird flu situation in Australia, and we want anyone taking one of our girls home to understand the current situation.

We've spoken directly with Agriculture Victoria about our rehoming plans. We've been advised that, provided the hens are healthy and meet the relevant health and vaccination requirements, there is no issue with us proceeding with the rehoming.

We'll also notify Agriculture Victoria once the hens have been dispersed so they can update their records.

Why are we rehoming now?

This is a precautionary decision.

Our hens are not currently unsafe, and there is no H5 bird flu on our farm.

We're choosing to rehome them while they are healthy and while moving them is straightforward, rather than waiting until the situation potentially becomes more complicated.

If containment measures are introduced, moving poultry can become subject to additional requirements and permits. We would much rather make a proactive decision while we still have that option.

Backyard poultry owners also have practical options that aren't available to a large pasture raised commercial flock. For a small backyard flock, it is generally much easier to provide covered or enclosed areas and reduce contact with wild birds where practical. That doesn't mean the risk is zero, but it is much lower. Anyone taking on chickens should stay informed and follow current Agriculture Victoria advice.

Good biosecurity is important for every poultry owner, including protecting feed and water from wild birds, reducing contact between domestic poultry and wild birds where practical, and being alert for signs of illness.

Introducing new birds to your flock?

If you're bringing one or more of our girls home to an existing flock, it is best practice to separate them from your other hens for 1-3 days. It's important for the hens to have a chance to settle into their new environment and get used to each other before being able to touch each other, but it's especially good poultry biosecurity practice, particularly while the current bird flu situation is evolving.

If you have questions about what the current H5 bird flu situation means for keeping backyard hens, please ask us before taking your girls home. We're very happy to talk through what we know and what you'll need to consider.

Minimum requirements when adopting a chicken

Chickens should never be alone, they are social animals and need at least one other chicken companion. Studies show they are happiest with 3 or more.
Adequate food, water and shelter. Chickens are very susceptible to hot weather and must have shade and water available at all times. They also need to be locked up securely at night, as foxes, cats, and dogs will seek out your new family members.
Chickens need somewhere to roost and lay. Providing perches for your hens discourages them from sleeping in your nesting boxes and is their preferred way to sleep.

Additional Recommendations

Chickens enforce a strong social hierarchy. If you are introducing new chickens we highly recommend that you separate them initially. This works best when they can see each other and size each other up over a 24-hour period.
This could be as simple as putting some temporary chicken mesh up in a section of your coop and letting them see each other and get used to their new additions. With or without an initial separation, you are likely to still see a brief robust interaction as they fight for their social standings. This is normal and nothing to be concerned about unless it is ongoing and causing injury (you will know the difference!).
Making shell grit available and regularly including Apple Cider Vinegar in their water, is a great way to keep your ladies healthy and laying longer.

Next Rehoming:
Sunday 16th August 6:30pm-8:30pm

Fill in the form below to secure your hens. We'll send you a text message with your collection details later this week.

REHOMING HAS NOW SOLD OUT

We tend to get a number of cancellations, if you are still keen, please fill in the form and we will get in touch if we have room to fit you in