Rescue & Adoptions

Past Featured Rescues

These Three Hens Were Made Unwilling Participants in a Cruel Fraternity Prank

When Annette, Bernadette, and Claudette were rescued off a street near the University of Southern California, they were covered in a sticky, sweet-smelling substance. The police officer with the University of Southern California campus police who found the hens soon learned that they were the victims of a cruel fraternity prank. A group of college students had dumped syrup on top of the terrified birds and had chased them about, joking and having fun. Thankfully, the officer took pity on the traumatized chickens and even considered keeping them as her own companions.

She soon realized, however, that she could not provide the hens with the care they needed, so she began trying to find them a suitable home. Hearing of the birds' plight, we eagerly agreed to have Annette, Bernadette, and Claudette come live with us at our California Shelter. They arrived a bit frightened and sticky, but in good health, and seemed very pleased by their new surroundings.

Caregivers delicately washed the hens and removed the remaining syrup from their feathers. After the hens were clean and dry, they were carried gently to their own private suite in our hospital area where they could be monitored daily and tested for parasites. The girls lived in their private suite for almost two weeks, and greatly enjoyed the time they spent there playing on top of hay bales, meeting visitors to the farm and receiving lots of extra affection from caregivers.

After fecal tests determined that the hens were parasite free, we brought them up to live at our main chicken barn. They quickly became very popular with the residents there, charming hens and roosters alike with their warm personalities and unending charisma. Sadly, Annette, Bernadette and Claudette have all since passed away, and we miss them terribly.