Hundreds flock to buy chickens from Derbyshire farm

Roger Hosking said the farm had been in financial trouble for several years

Hundreds of people have been queuing to buy chickens from a farm that has helped young people after the owner was forced to sell up.

Highfields Happy Hens, in Derbyshire, taught agricultural skills to children to help get them back into school.

After getting into debt, Roger Hosking, 76, confirmed he would have to sell his land and slaughter the hens.

So far about 3,000 hens have been sold, with buyers flocking from across the Midlands to collect them.

Many said they were prepared to go the "egg-stra" mile to help the farm and peck up a bargain.

• Latest news and stories from the East Midlands

Most people buying the hens are taking them home as pets

Mr Hosking said during the last two days, he has arrived at the farm in Etwall and up to 30 cars of people have been waiting to buy the birds.

He said most people are buying about two to keep as family pets or to provide eggs.

Kirsty Shelton, from Spondon, Derby, bought 18 hens last Friday after seeing a post on Facebook.

"We only went for 10 but ended up with 18 after more jumped over the fence near us," she said.

Miss Shelton said the hens will be family pets for her father and young son to enjoy looking after together.

Kirsty Shelton's young son will help her parents look after the 18 new additions to the garden

George and Sarah Plant, from Stoke-on-Trent, bought 10 chickens to join the 10 they already have on their smallholding.

They said: "We saw it online and came straight down. We thought it was a shame they might be sent for slaughter."

George and Sarah Plant saw news of the hen sale online

Dave Peach, from Chesterfield, bought two hens to go with four he already has.

He said: "These two will bring us up to six chickens - one for me, one for my wife and one for each of the kids. They'll give them all names."

The farm will stop trading on 14 September.

Dave Peach said his family will give the hens names