My best hen came from our local shelter. Her name is Rosie and she follows me around like a puppy. I think she's a red sex link of some sort. She had been brutally debeaked (right back to the nostrils) and was found wandering around in a bad part of town. I adopted her, quarantined for 2 weeks (although she had been well checked by the shelter vet) and then integrated her. She was terribly skinny at first. After about 3 or 4 weeks, she began to grow back feathers and really put on some proper weight, and then the eggs started. Holy moly! They are the biggest eggs I get, and she lays one every day. She's the best hen I have and I love her so much. I know it's anthropomorphizing, but I really do think she is appreciative of where she is now, and she always loves to be around me when I am outside. She's a special girl.
I also have 9 thai birds that were adopted from Chicken Run Rescue in Minneapolis. They were young birds seized in a cockfighting bust. None have been actual fighters, and none are aggressive or unpleasant with my other birds. They were all too young when seized. They integrated very well, but they still tend to stick with each other as a group.
I whole-heartedly agree with adopting rescue chickens. They are a joy to own and always make me feel good when I see them, knowing I gave them a good home.
