Inside the wild five-star hotel for chickens

A woman has opened an all-inclusive, five-star hotel for chickens, and she’s already booked through 2024.

Katriona Shovlin, who has eight of her own birds, launched her female-only ‘hennels’ last year after noticing a gap in the market.

She allows hens and ducks to her retreat in Upchurch, Kent – charging £3 per bird per day – for which they get soft bedding, a full menu and unlimited access to a house and swings.

Soothing tunes also play on a loop – including Classic FM and the soundtrack from the hit film Up – and there is a dust bath where the chickens can wash.

After news of her hen hotels went viral last November, Katriona says her phone has been ‘ringing off the hook’, with many customers finally going on vacation after years of not being able to.

Animal science grad Katriona, 31, also offers ‘chick-in’ visits where she goes to look after larger flocks that can’t be moved from their surroundings.

The chickens have a bath, disco ball and feast each morning (Picture: SWNS)

The chickens also have a bath to dust off in (Picture: SWNS)

There’s even a disco ball for the chickens to dance underneath (Picture: SWNS)

Katriona said: ‘It’s been brilliant. People must have thought that I was mad but it’s been crazy with bookings for almost the entire year. But really, the people that do own chickens and ducks have been so happy – the phone has been ringing off the hook.

‘People have said they’ve been looking for this for years. I’ve had some really great reviews to be honest! I like to think it’s still a five-star hotel.

‘The bookings vary – some are long weekends, some two or three weekends at a time. There has been a great demand where I’ve thought of setting up another hotel on the grounds so that’s potentially in the works.’

Katriona got a flock of hens a few years ago after she looked after them for a neighbour.

But her own birds have automatic sliding doors from their hen house into their run, and are kept separate from other visiting flocks.

The chickens are very happy in their hotel (Picture: SWNS)

Katriona said: ‘Hens can’t be mixed because a flock is a flock and they’re very territorial. So they’re away from mine out of sight. It’s a very peaceful, non-stressful environment.’

She said: ‘They do get quite spoilt actually. On a cold morning they have poultry porridge for breakfast then some Layers Mash [chicken feed] or pellets.

‘In the afternoon they get a treat of corn which keeps them warmer throughout the night. Of course, any treat has to be given in moderation otherwise they won’t eat their food! The disco ball and classical music is still going strong too!’

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