My dh came home the other day saying a friend knew a big local egg farmer who was getting rid of about 60 chickens. We could have as many as we want for free. He does this annually with the older, but still laying hens, to refresh his flock. We don't have room for many, but we said we'd take three. Friend arrived today with crates of birds when dh was at work. I just about puked. The birds were so pecked, most had no back or breast feathers, many were raw. The open bed of his truck smelled from them. I couldn't figure out what the smell was at first, but I think I have it down to a smell of blood. They are in terrible shape and smaller than our not-yet four month old Barred Rock chicks, even though they are about 18 months old. These friends have got chickens from this farmer before, and said that after a while of being in their new environment, their feathers grow back and they begin to look like healthy chickens. The whole thing is disgusting. I can't believe people would keep animals, "even chickens," in such a way to encourage pecking to this point. It literally makes me sick to my stomach. DH won't be home from work until late into the night, and I have no choice but to put these new birds in the coop with the others. I want to just leave them out in the run (they can get covered shelter under the coop), but am concerned the smell of blood will attract coyotes or other predators. So far they are the ones trying to dominate our existing flock, instead of our birds going after them because they've been pecked red. This was a real eye-opening experience for me. When I think about commercial eggs, whether in the store, or from a farmer selling them at the local market, and the treatment of these birds, it makes me really happy that we have our own source for eggs and will not be contributing/condoning the treatment of these animals by purchasing eggs. The whole thing is just really sad.
I feel the same way you do. At least they'll know what a REAL home is now. I wish people would like that would take the time and actually take care of the chickens, even if they're just for egg laying. All of my chickens and guineas are all strong and healthy, and all it takes is time and care. If I were you, I would spread the word to a chicken rescue to help the rest of the chickens stuck in that place.
I looked up battery chickens from another posts suggestion, and was totally disgusted.....So happy you have taken them. Bless your heart...
Our girls were "rescue chickens" from the same type of situation. We got 29, lot one to her injuries - 1 for unknown reasons and found good homes for 19 others (as we only wanted a few chickens, but couldn't leave them in the condition they were living in). Our girls seem quite happy now, started free renging while i am in the yard. i am looking forward to fresh eggs soon. they are still a bit young. Best of luck with your new ones. They should start behaving & healing once they are well cared for.
Quote:I have heard you need to quarantine new additions to your flock before integrating them, due to potential of spreading health issues...be careful. If the new chcikens are injured, your girls will most likely peck at them. They will need something to treat their injuries. There is something called Blue Kote which I have read BYCers use to cover injuries and reduce pecking. perhaps someone who has used this could tell you more about it. Best of luck to you, and I think it is wonderful you are trying to help animals who have suffered.
Quote:20 some years ago we got a couple of used-up chickens from an egg farm. They were a very sorry sight. They weren't pecked as much as your but were missing much of their feathers, their posture was weird, kind of standing too tall & leaning back - I guess from crowded confinement. Their upper beaks were cut half-way back )gross!), and their feet were in bad shape. They were terrified of grass and the other chickens in my flock. They eventually got to looking a bit better with rest & good food but never looked or acted normal. I like to think we gave them a golden retirement from hell-house. I want to say that at the time I did not think to quarantine them, it is probably too late but you should keep them separate from your flock for a month. Not only for disease control but your chickens will pick at any red or raw spots, it's only in their nature.
Stories like these make me so sad It's the reason that I got my chickens too. If you do even a little research into commercial facilities, you come out shaken and sick to your stomach. The conditions those animals are kept in make lab-rats look comfy and pampered. I cannot even begin to imagine owning one of those facilities and being able to live with myself. It takes a certain kind of evil to make your living off of misery, maltreatment, starvation, and death. No other commercial animal is treated so badly. Every time I frown about how expensive my coop was to build, or at how much trouble it is to wake up early to let the chickens out, or grumble at my stupid EE for making me chase her around the yard instead of being movable with treats like all the others, all I have to do is remind myself that I am no longer taking part in such a terrible and aweful system. I can eat one of my favorite foods, and not be contributing to lining the pockets of deeply evil human beings profiting off of grossly mistreated animals. I'm no bleeding heart PETA vegan, but I have a heart. And it hurts for those poor commercial hens. I think I'll give my hens extra yogurt and watermellon tonight.
Wow. It's wonderful that you were able to save a few. It's completely heart breaking to see what the commercial chickens go through but for those few they will have a wonderful life
