Coppershell said the farmer needed to clear their barn for younger chickens to keep up with rates of egg production.
“We managed to rehome 4,000 a month ago, but we never do it at such short notice,” Ms Acourt said.
“We work with the farmer, and there’s a big push towards the ethical approach.
“It makes the farmer feel better than having to cull them, so everybody wins,” she added.
The hens will be brought to the rescue centre on Sunday, checked over, and then their new owners will come to collect them.
Ms Acourt said an online appeal by another sanctuary that they work with had been a huge boost.
Goatacre Animal Sanctuary’s Facebook appeal was shared more than 1,100 times.
