New Zealand man accidentally buys 1000 hens for just over £1

We’ve all made purchases we regret, but one New Zealand man has outdone even the best of us.

Steve Morrow accidentally bought 1000 hens for $1.50 in an online auction after seeing an “urgent sale” on the website, Trade Me.

Thinking he was only buying one bird, Steve wanted to rescue a hen in need, which is a very noble deed.

However, when he won at 11am on Sunday, he was told by the seller that he’d actually bought 1000 hens.

The seller, a free-range egg farm in Auckland, was closing down and needed to be fully empty by Monday. Confusingly, the listing was for “one 1000” birds.

Morrow believed that the highest bidder could take as many birds as they wanted.

Speaking to Stuff he said:

When the auction closed, I thought 'this is great', I could take as many birds as I wanted.

But when I spoke to the man and he said it was for 1000 hens ... holy moly, I was stunned, I can tell you that.

Morrow added that the advert, which was posted by Matthew Blomfield, was "confusing" and that he had read it at least three times.

Blomfield disputed this and initial conversations with Morrow, indicated that he was happy with the purchase.

We discussed the logistics behind it all, he said he's worked at freehold farms.

But over the weekend I think it became apparent to him that 1000 hens is a bit too many birds and must have had a change of mind.

Still, it’s a happy ending, as following a social media post trying to rehome the hens, over 700 of them have found homes.

Blomfield revealed:

He didn't just make a mistake and not follow through. He contacted Animal Sanctuary and they're helping us interview those that have put their hands up – we want to make sure these birds are going to safe homes.

Morrow said that he wasn’t going to “let the birds down”, “even if I had to drive up to Auckland and feed them myself while looking for homes for them.”

HT stuff.co.nz

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