Free as a Bird Rescue

We are a non profit organisation and have been up and running since 2013. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome ex-battery hens and are all about the health, welfare and care of all poultry.

There are hundreds of thousands of hens in battery farms throughout NZ and they are destined for a life behind bars – cramped in tiny cages until they are culled at the end of their egg production days. Free as a Bird offers a saving grace for these hens, buying them, rehabilitating them and then rehoming them to loving homes such as yours.

Our main achievement is the 35,000 plus ex battery hens we have saved, rehabilitated and rehomed. Our aim to continue to save more. But we cannot do so without your help! All animals we rescue receive the best of care, are health checked, nails clipped, beaks reshaped where needed, wormed, parasite treated, de-mited and regularly checked for any other health problems.

Support us by donating today or by contacting us to adopt one of our hens.

Every single dollar counts!

Thank you,
Free as a Bird Rescue

About Us

Free as a Bird was started by Kelly Phelps of Mamaku in 2014. She rescued thousands of hens from local battery farms before handing over the reins briefly to Aisha Lichtwark in early 2018. Kelly has now took over the reigns again in 2019 and runs the rescues from Rotorua.