June 30, 2020 2.48 pm This story is over 59 months old

Eggs-traordinary trip for stowaway hen under delivery lorry

It was the real life ‘Chicken Run’ for Henrietta

The stowaway hen was wedged underneath the trailer of an egg delivery lorry on a 90-mile trip. Photo: RSPCA

A stowaway hen had an eggs-traordinary 90-mile trip wedged underneath the trailer of an egg delivery lorry travelling from Lincolnshire to Hertfordshire.

The hen was discovered by staff at a food delivery company in Boreham Wood on Thursday, June 18 after the egg trailer pulled into the industrial park.

Luckily, there was no fowl play and staff managed to contain her in a cardboard box with some pine nuts and water before she laid an egg.

Staff then contacted the RSPCA for help, who were able to rescue the plucky animal that has since been named Henrietta.

Henrietta was a “little bedraggled” from the wet and windy two hour journey. Photo: RSPCA

RSPCA Inspector Nicole Smith made a few calls before finding the hen a new home with Hilary Carlen, who has adopted farm birds from the charity before.

After a much shorter and more comfortable journey, Nicole delivered the hen to Hertfordshire-based Mrs Carlen.

Hilary dried off the hen, who was then given a little bit of time to recover before being introduced to other feathered friends. Henrietta is now enjoying her new home.

Henrietta was given a bit of time to recover before being introduced to her other feathered friends. Photo: RSPCA

Inspector Smith said: “The journey would have been a feat of ‘hendurance’ for this little explorer but thankfully the brave bird was completely unscathed.

“She was a little bedraggled from the wet and windy two hour journey, but she certainly wasn’t in a flap when she was found.

Henrietta made herself so comfortable in the cardboard box that she laid an egg. Photo: RSPCA

“The staff put her in a cardboard box where she made herself so comfortable that she laid an egg!

“The delivery company was unable to trace where the bird had come from so she was signed over to the RSPCA. I knew I could find her a loving home and I was right!”

Henrietta with her new owner in Hertfordshire Hilary Carlen. Photo: RSPCA

Hilary, who gave the hen her new name, added: “She’s a pretty strong hen. I don’t think most hens would have survived that kind of stress. She’s particularly robust as she seemed absolutely unruffled.

“She’s settled in well with my other six hens, three of which are also RSPCA rescues. She’s very amiable and friendly and doesn’t mind being handled. I’m so glad I was able to give another rescue hen a loving home.”