The woolly jumpers help the chickens to grow new feathers

Chickens in jumpers

Brigitte Hawley, from Benenden, in Kent, gave the four bald birds a new home last November after receiving them from the Battery Hen Welfare Trust.

She designed the knitwear to protect them during the winter as they adapted to life away from the chicken sheds.

"Just to see them around the garden and doing what chickens should do is lovely," said Ms Hawley.

Ms Hawley said her invention, which she calls a "chux tux", had been adapted from a bobble hat, and came in different designs depending on which parts of the bird were in need of insulation.

Her bespoke design was the winning entry in a national knitting competition.

Since their release from captivity, her four battery hens are now showing signs of recovery, thanks to the designer knitwear.