Sanctuary Tails

Animal Photo of the Week: Otto

 

Everyone loves a good stretch and farm animals are no different! In this adorable photo, little Otto sprawls out atop the jungle gym in his pasture, enjoying a beautiful morning and soaking up the sun. Born at our New York Shelter, this sweet baby goat and his twin brother ZuZu are fortunate to have only known love and kindness their whole lives. But life wasn’t always so blissful for their mother Lizzy, who was severely-neglected and in late-term pregnancy at the time she was rescued and brought to Farm Sanctuary. Fortunately, with ‘round-the-clock care from our staff, Lizzy regained her strength and eventually gave birth, safely bringing her boys into the world. Thanks to Lizzy's precious second chance, this happy little family will now always live together in peace – free to spend their days without a worry or care.

Reel Life Video Series: Episode Two

Are you ready for some more Reel Life at Farm Sanctuary? In this second episode of our brand new “Sanctuary Tails” video series, National Shelter Director Susie Coston answers a commonly asked question: What do we do with our chicken residents’ eggs? Watch now to meet a few of the happy hens who reside at the New York Shelter and learn more about the nutritional needs of our feathered friends.

Animal Photo of the Week: Rachael

 

It’s hard to imagine that beautiful Rachael was once thrown out with the trash. In the foie gras industry, female Moulard ducks like her are often separated out from the males and killed – simply because their livers are said to be too veiny to yield an ideal pâté. Lucky for this sweet girl, she was discovered still alive during a 2007 investigation of a Canadian production facility and forever lifted out of despair. Now a happy a resident of our New York Shelter, this incredible duck is valued for her individuality and will never be seen as an inconvenient byproduct ever again. Here, Rachael is the absolute vision of serenity – spending one of the last hot days of summer resting in the shade of a tree.

Animal Photo of the Week: Bill

 

When he was just a babe, handsome Bill was found wandering alone on the streets of Brooklyn, New York. Likely an escapee from one of the city’s many live markets – noisy, crowded and chaotic places where terrified animals are hand-selected by customers and slaughtered for meat onsite – the tiny rooster certainly would have met a cruel end had he not been swiftly discovered and rescued by Animal Care & Control in May 2007. Now safe at Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter, grown-up Bill has sure come a long way since his precarious younger days. A favorite among fellow chickens and human caregivers alike, this incredible boy has matured into one of the most valiant roosters we’ve ever known – diligently watching over the hens in his flock and never resting until they all feel protected in his care.

Animal Photo of the Week: Jacob & Bones

 

Discovered on a property where they were being used as living lawnmowers, Jacob and Bones endured hazardous conditions and a life of neglect until they were finally rescued. Ever since, both boys have been safe at our California Shelter, where they receive the care and affection they deserve. Strong-willed Jacob has emerged as one of the leaders of the herd. This assertive goat knows what he wants, and isn’t afraid to ask for it. When visitors arrive at the goat barn, he is always the first to step up for some petting and attention and eagerly seeks out treats. Bones is also independent, but he’s more of a wallflower. This shy goat isn’t usually an attention-seeker, but when Jacob comes near, he certainly won’t turn down a little loving from his best friend!

 

Coming Home to the Roost

 
  
By Susie Coston

We are truly grateful to the members of our Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN), who provide loving, lifelong homes to rescued farm animals and make it possible for us to save even more lives. This summer, dedicated Farm Sanctuary member Denise Goodman, along with her husband Todd and son Merrick, adopted six hens from our New York Shelter, giving them an incredible new home in Pennsylvania. We recently asked Denise how everything was going with her new feathered friends and this is what she had to say:

Q: What inspired you to adopt farm animals?
A: Since we can't LIVE at Farm Sanctuary, we wanted to recreate a small piece of it in our own backyard. We have a great space and wanted to give a nice home to a few creatures. Seeing the animals brings us so much joy! We also thought it would be a great way to help our friends and family make a connection that could expand their "love of animals" beyond the pets that traditionally share their lives. Having the hens has been a great conversation starter. People are always intrigued, especially when they find out that we adopted the birds and did NOT get them for their eggs. It's a good chance to explain the lives of most layer hens who are not as lucky. 

 
The hens explore their yard.

Q: What is a typical day for the hens like?
A: Because we (my husband and I) tend not to be early birds, we have an automatic door on their coop that gives the girls their freedom at a far earlier hour than we would. At sunrise their door opens and they run out into the fenced-in yard, which is probably a little under an acre (every inch of which they investigate). Sometimes when they hear me getting ready in the morning, they climb up the porch steps and look into the bathroom window! They basically peck and scratch and roam around all day. Seems like they enjoy a dustbath/shady nap midday. I was amazed at how much they eat, constantly nibbling! They come running whenever they see us. I like to imagine it is because they love us already, but honestly it is because they know they'll get a treat (some red beet greens, rice cake crumbs, chicken scratch). I think they have an almost ideal chicken life. Sometimes they look longingly into the forest and I feel a little bad, like they would have some serious fun in there, but for their safety, we keep them in the fenced yard which has lots of trees and gardens and porches for them to hide under and explore. They go into the coop on their own at bedtime.

 
Merrick with his new chicken friends.
  
Q: How has adopting the hens changed your life? 
A: I love being out weeding and harvesting goodies from the garden and having the hens come running to see what's going on. They are great companions! It is really fun having them around. Our son says almost daily how "cute" and "adorable" the chickens are! At dinner last night, three of the girls took turns jumping up on top of our compost bin so they could look in our glass door at eye level and check out what we were doing! They really crack us up!

Q: Any cute stories or anything you'd like to share?
A: I love it when one of the chickens snatches a prize possession, like a bright red strawberry, then runs off, carrying it as high in the air as she can with her outstretched neck, followed closely by a few of her jealous friends!

Well, it sounds like these happy chickens are truly living a charmed life! Want to adopt some farm animal companions of your own? We are always looking for compassionate new FAAN members to provide homes to animals in need. Learn more about our network today!

Top photo: One of the girls explores the garden.