Local Partnership Helps Rehome Our Flock

6.5.2025

Here at Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, we’ve had a bit of a chicken explosion lately – and while we love all our feathered friends, we found ourselves with more hens than we could comfortably care for.

Fortunately, our neighbours at Mayfield Alpacas on Ringinglow Road, now known as Mayfield Alpaca Farm and Animal Sanctuary, happened to be looking to rehome more chickens for when they reopen later this month after significant refurbishment. So, on Thursday 1st May, twenty-five hens headed to their new home which has plenty of space to roam and cluck to their hearts’ content.

It was a full team effort to load them up at Whirlow with Whirlow LIFE (Learning In a Farming Environment) students, staff, support workers and volunteers all lending a hand to capture the hens, load them into the poultry crates, and send them on their short journey up the road to Ringinglow.

Will Davidson, one of Whirlow’s Education Tutors, and chief chicken wrangler (an unofficial title!) said “When we have previously had too many hens, members of the public have taken them in groups of 3 or so for a donation, but it’s fantastic to know there’s a brood of Whirlow hens going together just up the road to Mayfield”.

In exchange for the chickens, Mayfield Alpacas will be making a donation to help fund our ongoing work with vulnerable young people and schools across Sheffield. Their support means a great deal to us, and we’re delighted to be connected with them.

Tina Gage, Manager of Mayfield Alpaca Farm and Animal Sanctuary, said “Whirlow looking to rehome some of their chickens came at just the right time for our new look farm and sanctuary. We have been working incredibly hard over the last few months to completely refurbish the whole farm including a brand-new hen enclosure with an incredible view overlooking the Mayfield Valley. We hope they’ll be really happy here.”

We're incredibly grateful for the collaboration of local organisations like Mayfield Alpacas. It's a brilliant example of the community spirit that makes Sheffield such a special place.

Thank you, Mayfield – from all of us (and our hens)!