We took on our first ex battery hens in September two and half years ago. They came from a local farm; a woman who worked there re-homed as many as she could before they were shipped out annually for slaughter. We took in 15 of them. They arrived looking like 'oven-ready' birds - few feathers, wobbly legs and wings. On arrival they all cowered in the corner of a straw filled loose box.

Poultry hobbyist and school teacher Sue Lunt from Aldershot in Hampshire has always had chickens and like many bird owners takes great care in maintaining a healthy flock. As a keen poultry enthusiast and after reading numerous poultry journals, Sue realised the importance of parasite control and took the initiative to start a suitable programme on her flock of Sussex Stars.