...By the time they had all 50 in the car, they were so packed that they were standing on top of one another. We wanted to get out of there though, so we drove to the next exit down the highway, turned off, and stopped to rearrange them.

Some of them were so squished, the way the guys loaded them, as we left they said "some will probably suffocate!" Not that they cared, they're the ones that put them like that. We didn't have enough space in the cages so we decided to empty the two smaller cages into the trunk.  We pulled a few out of the cage in the back seat to put into the trunk as well, and it was literally so packed that I had to hold one on my lap.

As I held her, I scratched her head and neck and rubbed her face. She closed her eyes and rubbed her beak, for the first time in her life she was being treated gently and having her pin feathers preened and having someone show her compassion. She fell asleep on my lap.

They're missing a lot of feathers and most of what they do have are beaten up or just the shafts remained. They are packed so closely into those cages that they pluck one another and themselves out of stress and the inability to properly form a natural pecking order to the sheer number of other chickens around them. The wires of the cages rub the feathers off and the longer feathers, such as the tail and flight feathers, don't have a chance. They are quickly worn down by the inability to move without rubbing up against the wire or another bird.


Their faces and combs are pale, and the combs are overly floppy, covering their faces. This is caused by anemia and the high temperature in the barns, and is common with ex-battery hens. After a few weeks of proper care and natural temperatures, their combs will redden and stand up more.

We drove to Wetaskawin to meet Lucie from RASTA , the Rescue and Sanctuary for Threatened Animals in De Winton Alberta.  It's an amazing place, not unlike what we aspire to be one day, a safe haven for animals from dogs and cats, to chickens and cows. Lucie was the one that contacted us, desparate for help in saving the lives of as many hens as she could take on.  We loaded her vehicle up with 40 hens, 7 of which are going to one of our long time friends and foster homes in Raymond, Alberta. The cages she brought were full of a generous mixture of seeds and grains, as well as lettuce, which the hens immediately started eating, thrilled with the new variety of food put before them.


Right when we got home. It was dark, so we put them in a small pen so they wouldn't freak out. They have very poor eye sight in the dark, as all birds do. Some of them flapped their wings though, and stretched their legs, likely for the first time in their lives. They were able to scratch and peck through the hay.

The Girls are still very nervous and don't trust is at all, but who could blame them? Yesterday they were grabbed by wings, feathers, and feet to load them roughly into cages... they've obviously never had any positive human contact.

They have been spending most of their time in the shelter, but if we watch them from a distance, where they can't see us, we catch them rolling in their shavings and straw and fluffing their feathers. We clipper their nails today, and many of them are missing their nails completely, even half of the toe in some cases. This is common in Battery Hens because, with their long nails, they get caught up in the wire and torn off. It made walking extremely uncomfortable for them; the nails they did have were over an inch to long.

They are scared of a lot of things that should be an everyday experience for a chicken...wind, birds, even water bowls. They are suceptible to the cold due to the state of their feathers, which is likely another reason why they've been hanging out indoors. It's chilly out, and windy.

They were happy to get out though, and most of them stretched their wings and discovered the wonderful taste of grass. They taste tested everything...grass, live and dead...dirt, snow, leaves... it's all a new experience.

With more time, and more confidence, they'll discover the joys of the outdoors...they have so much more to experience!

Today was still windy and a bit chilly, but The Girls were up bright and early like chickens should be!


Their combs are pinking up already, but they're sill droopy! They're not nearly as nervous as they were before..rather then flapping and running without rhyme or reason, they speed walk away, clucking beneath their breath if we get too close. They don't screech when we pick them up anymore, realizing now that we won't hurt them...once it warms up a bit we're going to give them a bath, they have caked on poop and mud that they won't be able to get off themselves. It's just a bit to windy right now, and we want them to settle in a bit more...it would be a bit traumatic! They've been spending a lot of time preening themselves and pulling out dead feathers, though...they've never had enough space to properly preen, and were under a constant state of stress.   They appear to be in complete bliss, eyes closed, beaks combing through their feathers.

'The Girls' are doing much better having had just over a month to recover! A few have been adopted and the rest are currently at a foster home waiting for a permanent home together as a group! They are acting like good ol' normal chickens now; flapping their wings, dust bathing, and running around with bursts of excited energy everytime they're let out of their run.

They have perfected their fly catching abilities and are no longer afraid of the sparrows that share their food. They're very happy now that our unseasonably cold weather is gone...chickens missing half of their feathers don't do well in the cold! They're eating all of the weeds and grown grass they can get to and have cut down on the bug populations, and create free fertilizer to boot! Chickens should be a part of everybodies yard!

They look like totally new birds; white feathers, red combs and faces, and fewer bald patches. All but two have grown their tail feathers back. They're no longer terrified of us, either. In fact, two of them come running over to greet you as soon as you come outside, and follow you around the yard as you do your chores. When you sit down for a rest, they're quickly up on your lap looking for a treat.

These girls have been through a lot and it has been so rewarding seeing them improve day by day!