Chickens

Find me in the Map Key: N

Meet Our Free-Range Flock

We’re a lively flock of around 50 free-range hens, happily roaming the paddock along the Paddock Walk. During the day, we love scratching at the ground, foraging for insects, and taking dust baths in the sunshine. Some of us are a little more adventurous - you might spot a few wandering into the cattle barn or along the farm’s paths!

As dusk falls, we naturally return to our coop, where we perch on our favourite roosting bars and lay eggs in nesting boxes designed to keep them safe and comfortable. We lay fresh eggs every morning, which are collected and sold in the Attwell Farm Park shop, so visitors can take home a taste of the farm.

Our flock continues a proud Attwell family tradition - in the 1990s, the farm was home to over 500,000 laying hens, making Mike Attwell one of the UK’s largest egg producers. Today, we carry on that heritage on a much smaller, friendlier scale, showing visitors where real free-range eggs come from.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated Species that have not been assessed for their risk of extinction.

Fun Facts

🥚 Egg-Laying Experts – Most hens lay one egg a day, though breed, age, and daylight hours all play a part. 🏡 Nesting Instincts – Hens prefer to lay their eggs in warm, sheltered nesting boxes that mimic natural nests. 🌞 Daylight Routine – Chickens follow the sun, waking at dawn and returning to roost as evening falls. 📜 Farm Legacy – Attwell Farm once raised over half a million laying hens — today, our small flock keeps that history alive. 🧠 Clever Birds – Chickens recognise faces, form friendships, and even have more than 30 unique vocal calls to communicate.

Classification

Type: Birds Family: Phasianidae Group: Flock A social group of chickens that live, feed, and roost together, establishing a gentle “pecking order.”

Names

Male: Cockerel (or Rooster) The adult male chicken, recognised by his colourful feathers, upright comb, and signature morning crow. Female: Hen A female, often smaller and quieter than males, often seen leading the flock and caring for chicks. Baby: Chick A fluffy young chicken that hatches from an egg and quickly learns to scratch, peck, and follow its mother.

Habitat

Habitat: Farmland, grassland, and open paddocks Place of Origin: Southeast Asia and South China