Kiev hen is one of the incredible animals at the California Shelter who people remember most. Visitors are often first struck by her unusual appearance – as she was the victim of a botched debeaking procedure when she was just a chick and left with a short beak that now has two large, bulbous tissue growths on its top and bottom. Once you get to know Kiev a bit more, however, it is her spunky and outgoing personality that really makes this brave factory farming survivor stand out from the crowd.
When she arrived at Farm Sanctuary, Kiev (like many hens who are forced to endure the effects of severe debeaking) had trouble eating. Compared to other birds, she was on the smaller side, but because she was also so plucky and bold, she made her own way and thrived in our main chicken barn for years, despite her physical disadvantages. It was only in the past year that (due to her advanced age and the introduction of lots of new hens into the flock) we moved Kiev into a neighboring barn with our resident turkey ladies — a place where she could take it easy and have less competition for food.
A chicken in the turkey barn, you ask? Despite the differences between the two species, the arrangement actually works really well and many of our special needs hens live with the turkey ladies, who don’t mind the company of their smaller feathered friends at all. In fact, it is in this mellower world that Kiev has found her true niche and risen to the top of the social order. She has lots of adoring friends, but her closest buddies are Tulip and Marseille (a chicken with whom she was rescued and who also has a disfigured beak). The three hens are inseparable and spend their days outside dustbathing or lying in the sun. At night, they sleep tightly together on a perch in the barn.
Kiev happily greets anyone who enters her yard, and is always in search of tasty treats, which she receives daily. Even if she’s distracted by something else, she comes running when we call her name so she doesn’t miss out. After her treats, she usually returns to her regular pellet food, jumping right in to scratch away and find the best morsels in her bowl. Admittedly, at times, Kiev’s enthusiasm for food works against her – like when she scratches so fiercely at her bowl of food or treats that it flips over, or she ends up wearing more food than she actually is able to eat. Because she brings so much joy to all of our lives, however, we don’t mind cleaning up her messes one bit!
kiev's story is truly inspiring... i'm happy to hear her story ends with a place like farm sanctuary.
if only so many others could be as lucky.
Posted by: rachelle | February 24, 2009 at 02:26 AM
Poor sweetie, thank you for rescuing her and giving her a wonderful home. I love Farm Sancutary!!!!
Michele
Posted by: Michele Glick | February 21, 2009 at 04:46 PM
What a sweet little angel. I'm so glad she's safe with you.
Posted by: marika | February 21, 2009 at 01:09 PM