I have no idea where to post this, so if it's in the wrong place, I apologize!
Today I went to a local farm animal sanctuary that had rescued about 500 hens from an egg factory farm.
I had been in contact with them earlier in the week and had arranged to go today and pick up some of the hens.
I was told they they were a year and a half old, and had lived in cages their whole life.
They also had part of their beaks cut off, very long toe nails, and lots of feather loss from rubbing on the cages.
I guess we all hear about these places, and have images in our heads about them, but until you see the actual birds, it doesn't hit you.
Although I didn't see where they came from, the horror of how they lived was evident.
They have never felt soft ground, or known what darkness means, being able to stretch, and dust, and do chicken things.
I was only able to take 2 due to my coop size.
They have homes for lots of them from what I was told, but this isn't a one time rescue.
They do this more often than any of us can imagine.
I was told that the farm wouldn't give them all up, and for some reason had "gassed" several instead of letting them live.
Doesn't make much sense, but I can only assume it was because the bodies of the gassed ones go into lower quality food such as chicken noodle soup, chicken broth, probably dog food, and who knows what else.
So money took precedence over their lives.
So I got my 2, and as I was driving away I cried.
I come from many years of doing rescue, although not farm animal, worked as an animal control officer, worked at the shelter, and on and on.
I have seen horrid things, and wonderful things.
I am not immune to the sadness, and horrors that people inflict on animals.
But wow this hit me hard!
I think it may be because with furred animals, people tend to seem more sympathetic to the cause of helping them, but whenn it comes to a farm animal, they are considered food, and not worthy of a meaningful life.
This is just my opinion on what I think happens.
Anyway, this affected me greatly.
These girls will have a good life here, and be able to be chickens!
I was also told they don't live as long, and frequently die from ovarian cancer, and peritonitis.
So sad.
I will post pics as they progress so you all can see their progress.
If anyone lives in the SF bay area I urge you to call the sanctuary and adopt some of these girls!
It is called Animal Place 707-449-4814 or go to their website and fill out an adoption form.
I tried to attach a picture but it wouldn't, so maybe I'm doing it wrong?
Today I went to a local farm animal sanctuary that had rescued about 500 hens from an egg factory farm.
I had been in contact with them earlier in the week and had arranged to go today and pick up some of the hens.
I was told they they were a year and a half old, and had lived in cages their whole life.
They also had part of their beaks cut off, very long toe nails, and lots of feather loss from rubbing on the cages.
I guess we all hear about these places, and have images in our heads about them, but until you see the actual birds, it doesn't hit you.
Although I didn't see where they came from, the horror of how they lived was evident.
They have never felt soft ground, or known what darkness means, being able to stretch, and dust, and do chicken things.
I was only able to take 2 due to my coop size.
They have homes for lots of them from what I was told, but this isn't a one time rescue.
They do this more often than any of us can imagine.
I was told that the farm wouldn't give them all up, and for some reason had "gassed" several instead of letting them live.
Doesn't make much sense, but I can only assume it was because the bodies of the gassed ones go into lower quality food such as chicken noodle soup, chicken broth, probably dog food, and who knows what else.
So money took precedence over their lives.
So I got my 2, and as I was driving away I cried.
I come from many years of doing rescue, although not farm animal, worked as an animal control officer, worked at the shelter, and on and on.
I have seen horrid things, and wonderful things.
I am not immune to the sadness, and horrors that people inflict on animals.
But wow this hit me hard!
I think it may be because with furred animals, people tend to seem more sympathetic to the cause of helping them, but whenn it comes to a farm animal, they are considered food, and not worthy of a meaningful life.
This is just my opinion on what I think happens.
Anyway, this affected me greatly.
These girls will have a good life here, and be able to be chickens!
I was also told they don't live as long, and frequently die from ovarian cancer, and peritonitis.
So sad.
I will post pics as they progress so you all can see their progress.
If anyone lives in the SF bay area I urge you to call the sanctuary and adopt some of these girls!
It is called Animal Place 707-449-4814 or go to their website and fill out an adoption form.
I tried to attach a picture but it wouldn't, so maybe I'm doing it wrong?
Last edited:
:yiipchick
