• Hen Weekend • Chicken boarding

03/06/2026

HOW MANY MORE ANIMALS HAVE TO SUFFER?

A few weeks ago, I spoke with Kent Police after seeing an alarming rise in reports of wildlife being attacked, maimed and killed with catapults…

I offered them my support to help raise awareness and educate young people about the devastating consequences these attacks have on animals. I was told an educational package was being developed and that my details are being passed on.

Since then? Silence.

Meanwhile, the attacks haven't stopped.

We continue to see horrifying reports of birds, ducks, swans and other wildlife being deliberately targeted, many left with catastrophic injuries or dying slow and painful deaths.

This isn't "kids being kids."

This is animal cruelty.

Education has to be part of the solution. If we can teach young people empathy, respect for wildlife and the consequences of these actions before they happen, surely that's better than dealing with the aftermath.

As someone who works with animals every day and regularly speaks to community groups, schools and families, I still want to help.

So I'm asking: Why isn't more being done?

How many more animals have to suffer before wildlife crime receives the attention it deserves?

Please share. The more people talking about this, the harder it becomes to ignore.

We are appealing for information after two ducks were found deceased and a pair of ducklings were injured near a waterway. Our officers attended The Fleet near Hawthorn Avenue after the incident was reported at around 11.30am on Saturday 30 May 2026. Steps were taken to safeguard remaining wildfowl, and an investigation was commenced that included the examination of available CCTV footage.

Inspector Julia Bassindale said: 'We suspect the birds were injured by a catapult and officers are working to identify those responsible.

'Local enquiries have been completed and we want to speak to two boys who were seen in the area at the time. They are described as being aged between 12 to 14 with dark hair and were wearing shorts and grey t-shirts.'

Witnesses who have not yet spoken to us and anyone with information that may assist, should contact the appeal line on 01795 419119 quoting reference 46/86974/26. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete the online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

29/05/2026

A lot of people know me for hens, ducks and poultry, but did you know I also have experience with reptiles and exotic species too? 🦎

When owners ask me to keep an eye on other pets while I’m caring for their birds, it’s something I’m always happy to help with where I can 👌🏽

In fact, reptiles such as bearded dragons were part of my studies at MidKent College, where I was lucky enough to learn from some fantastic tutors and gain hands-on experience with a wide variety of animals. The facilities and support there were second to none, and it’s knowledge that has stayed with me throughout my career! 🧡

This week I’ve been caring for the lovely Lizzie the bearded dragon, who has been an absolute pleasure to look after.. & I think it’s fair to say Fred enjoyed having a little hands-on experience too! 😊

Who knows… perhaps one day he’ll be following in my footsteps and learning from the same amazing tutors that taught me all those years ago .ant

Still putting those lessons to good use all these years later! Thank you for giving me such a great start in the animal care industry🦎

29/05/2026

This week I’ve also had the pleasure of looking after Lizzy the bearded dragon! 🦎💚

One of the things I love most about my job is that while I’m visiting to care for hens, ducks and other birds, I’m often asked to keep an eye on the rest of the family pets too 🥰

Whether it’s reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish or something a little more unusual, I’m always happy to help where I can 🙏

Lizzie has been an absolute pleasure to care for this week. She’s a lovely girl with a sweet nature and it’s been great seeing her every day while her owners are away 😌

It’s safe to say no two days are ever the same at Hen Weekend, but that’s exactly why I love it! 💜

29/05/2026

This week’s “chick inn” visits have been these gorgeous ducks! 🦆✨

I’ve had quite a few people asking what breed they are, and they’re actually Saxony ducks. They’re not a breed you see very often, but aren’t they beautiful? Their colouring is stunning, and they have such a lovely, placid nature too 🧡

One of the best bits about my job is getting to care for all sorts of animals and meeting breeds that many people haven’t come across before 🦆

Safe to say these beauties have been making me smile all week! 🥹🫶🏼

28/05/2026

The same goes for ducks and their ducklings!! Stop interfering with wildlife unless they are injured or in distress 🦆

Every year, large numbers of healthy young gulls are unnecessarily removed from the wild by well-meaning members of the public who are simply trying to help. We completely understand that instinct, seeing a young bird alone on the ground can be worrying ❤️

In many cases though, their parents are usually nearby, continuing to feed, protect and watch over them. If a healthy gull chick is in immediate danger, such as beside a road, it is often best to simply move them a short distance to a safer nearby location such as a flat roof, sheltered area or secure garden, allowing the parents to continue caring for them naturally.

Once a healthy chick is taken away from its parents, it often has to be raised in captivity unnecessarily, placing additional pressure on already stretched wildlife rescue services during the busiest time of year.

That’s why the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council has teamed up with RSPCA (England & Wales) and Scottish SPCA to help promote clear, evidence-based guidance on when intervention is genuinely needed, helping protect gull welfare while ensuring rescue spaces remain available for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife that truly require care.

So when should you intervene?

✅ If the chick is visibly injured, weak or unwell
✅ If it has been caught by a cat or dog
✅ If it is a very young nestling in immediate danger, such as near a road or exposed to other hazards

When should you leave them where they are?

❌ If the bird is alert, mobile and otherwise healthy
❌ If parents are not immediately visible, gulls may only return periodically to feed
❌ If adults are swooping nearby, this is usually defensive parenting behaviour and a sign young birds are close

The kindest thing we can often do is observe from a distance and allow wild parents to continue doing what they do best. Please always call your nearest wildlife rescue centre for advice prior to intervening.

You can read the latest guidance here:

Scottish SPCA:
https://www.scottishspca.org/news/wildlife-rescue-organisations-highlight-risks-as-gull-admissions-peak-in-summer-2026/

RSPCA:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/helping-hurting-when-rescuing-gulls-might-do-more-harm-than-good-0gwie/?trackingId=wWyVzOEvQcK4uZRdhCVDVQ%3D%3D

Please help us share this message and support responsible wildlife rescue this summer.

26/05/2026

EVERYBODY DANCE NOWWWW!💃🐔🎶 the hens’ inner voice the second they see the Dengie Fresh bed come out 🤣

Honestly the excitement is unreal… they come charging over kicking bedding everywhere like it’s the best party of the year 😂

Not because I leave it dirty… but because they LOVE a fresh bed day and apparently rearranging the coop themselves 🐔✨

Fresh, dry bedding is so important this time of year too as the warmer weather brings flies with it ☀️🪰 and nobody wants to risk issues like fly strike. Keeping coops clean and dry really does help keep our birds happy and healthy ❤️

AD | Sponsored by

24/05/2026

Just a little update regarding Hen Weekend boarding check-ins and check-outs 🐓

Going forward, we will no longer be offering weekend or Bank Holiday check-ins/check-outs for your birds stay! These will have to be done on a weekday from now on.. Weekends are family time for us too, and as much as we love welcoming your birds, we also need to make time for family plans and downtime ourselves 💛

All standard boarding arrivals and collections will now take place on weekdays where possible 💚

Thank you all so much for understanding and continuing to support our small business, it really does mean the world to us 🫶🐓

22/05/2026

⚠️ WEATHER WARNING FOR BIRD OWNERS ⚠️

Very warm weather today means extra care is needed for your birds 🐔🦆☀️ here’s a few simple ways to help keep them comfortable..

💧 fresh cold water at all times, check bowls regularly and place them in a shaded area
🌳 make sure there is plenty of shade available
💨 plenty of ventilation especially for birds kept in runs, allow some air flow
🥒offer water-rich treats like cucumber, watermelon or lettuce in moderation

Look out for these signs ⬇️
🥵 panting and holding wings away from the body and lethargy can all be signs your bird is struggling with the heat
🪰 warm weather also means flies increase quickly, so check bottoms daily for any signs of flystrike or dirty feathers

Please also remember that coops can become extremely hot very quickly, especially in direct sun 🌞

BHWT has a great info sheet on this incase I have missed anything, please read here: https://www.bhwt.org.uk/blog/health-welfare/chickens-in-hot-weather/

Stay safe everyone and keep those feathered babies cool today 💚

21/05/2026

HAS ANYONE LOST A DUCK? 🦆 it amazes me how many of these posts I’m seeing at the moment!

This is a wild female mallard. If she chooses to stop by in your garden, then honestly… what a lovely thing to witness. It means she feels safe there 💚

Wild ducks do sometimes rest in gardens, on driveways, near ponds or even in quiet housing areas, especially females with ducklings. They are often looking for somewhere calm and safe away from predators, busy water or aggressive birds 🦅

Unless mum or babies are injured, trapped or in immediate danger, please try not to interfere or post on Facebook groups asking for someone to come collect them. Ducklings are designed to follow mum everywhere, and moving them unnecessarily can cause stress or separate them from her ‼️

Of course, if they are near roads, drains, dogs, cats or mum has disappeared, then wildlife rescues should be contacted. But a calm mum sat peacefully in your garden with her babies is usually just nature doing exactly what it should 🐥✨

Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is simply watch from a distance and let wildlife be wild 🦆