Sanctuary Tails

Feeling Their Pain: Chickens and Empathy

 

By Susie

Scientists have recently published a study showing that chickens are capable of feeling empathy. They say their study “has important implications for the welfare of farm and laboratory animals.” Here at Farm Sanctuary, we’re happy that the scientific community is starting to acknowledge that animals deserve ethical consideration, but if they wanted to know whether or not chickens are capable of empathy, they could have just visited our farm! For many years we have been marveling at chickens’ personalities, at their individual quirks and habits, at the relationships they form, and at their numerous displays of empathy. 

We frequently see chickens empathize with one another when one of them has a health issue. All of the hens and roosters we’ve rescued from the egg production industry perch at night, but if a hen is sick, we will usually find her on the ground when we come in to close the barn. She will not be alone, however, and if not a rooster, one of her companion hens will be there to keep her company until we take her to our shelter hospital for treatment and observation.

The bonds between chickens grow when they have these experiences. We remember Taboo and Giggles, who were from different flocks, but developed a strong relationship when they spent time together at the hospital barn while they were both sick. Taboo’s health improved, so we returned her to her flock. After a few days, she ventured away from her flock and made the downhill trek back to the hospital to see her friend. We had to keep her away from some of the sick birds, so we again put her back with her original flock. It wasn’t long before Taboo started to show signs of illness and had to go back to the hospital barn. Immediately the friends united, and Taboo made an amazing recovery. At this point, we relented to Taboo’s insistence and let the two chickens remain together. They happily lived with one another until Giggles passed. After that Taboo started to succumb to illness again, and was never quite the same as when she was with her friend. It was clear to anyone who knew her how meaningful her relationship with Giggles was, and how profoundly affected she was by her friend’s well-being. 

The sad truth is that despite all the information we have about the complexity of these beautiful, intelligent animals, agribusiness still treats them like egg, milk and meat making machines. In typical factory farm conditions, behaviors like those shown by Taboo and Giggles could never be observed — most chickens spend their days crammed in a cage barely able to move, or in the case of birds used for meat, are killed after just six short weeks of life. We have been fortunate to be able to give chickens like Taboo and Giggles a home where they can act as they naturally should. In return they have shown us just how much they can empathize with one another, without having to test on them!

Top photo: Taboo and Giggles, friends for life

Reel Life Video Series: Episode 5

On episode five of our Sanctuary Tails blog video series, Reel Life at Farm Sanctuary, National Shelter Director Susie Coston talks about love on the farm in honor of Valentine’s Day and introduces us to some very special bonded pairs, including Bing and Bessie – two incredible geese who have lived at Farm Sanctuary for 25 years. You’ll also get to meet some of our pig, goat and chicken friends too! 

Want to see past episodes of Reel Life? You can catch up with them by clicking on the links below:

Episode One: Pasture Rotation
Episode Two: Chicken Nutrition
Episode Three: Turkey Talk
Episode Four: Hay Feeds

Meet Petunia Piglet, Our Newest Valentine

 

By Susie

With Valentine’s Day approaching, love is certainly on a lot of people’s minds … and those of us working here at Farm Sanctuary are no exception. In fact, surrounded by hundreds of affectionate rescued farm animals who have lots of it to share, we’d be hard pressed not to have our hearts melt a little each day. But perhaps nothing conjures the “warm and fuzzies” any time of year quite like a rescue story, so it is with great delight that I introduce you to our newest little sweetheart, baby Petunia.

Born on a farm in upstate New York, Petunia was the runt of her litter. For most piglets bred for production, this is a death sentence, as hardly any farmer wants or is able to take the time to bottle-feed a piglet who isn’t thriving day and night. As a result, many are left to languish or are often killed in brutal ways. But in Petunia’s case, she was donated to a veterinary teaching hospital so that students there could perform a practice surgery on the umbilical hernia with which she was born.

Sadly, animals used as teaching tools don’t fare much better than runts: they too are often disposed of or killed after enduring invasive procedures and the stresses of surgery preparation – as was to be the fate of Johnny and friends – residents at our California Shelter who faced slaughter after being used for hernia surgeries, but were saved at the final hour by a compassionate student who called us for help.

Fortunately, a call for help came for Petunia too. After receiving the piglet, doctors at the hospital reached out to us to see if we would be willing to give the tiny piglet a home, and we couldn’t pass up on the chance to take her in. She did need a surgery right away, however, to repair the hernia, which for her was riskier because she was so small. And, our worst fears realized, the situation proved to be very touch and go as her heart stopped during the procedure. Luckily, she was quickly revived and pulled through despite the fact she had also aspirated fluid into her lungs, causing pneumonia. But Petunia proved to be very strong and beat the odds to survive.

 

When Petunia arrived at our New York Shelter a few days later, she only weighed about 4-pounds and could literally fit into one hand. But what she lacks in size, she sure makes up for with her incredible spirit – nothing, and I mean nothing, can keep this dynamic piglet down! Settled inside a comfy pen with a heat lamp, blankets and pillows right near our caregiver offices in the shelter hospital so we could keep a close eye on her and attend to her many bottle feedings ‘round the clock, this cheerful baby  immediately began  stealing the hearts of everyone who dropped by to snuggle and play with her. While she is not out of the woods yet, and has since had a repeat trip back to the hospital for further treatments and assessment for more surgery, we are hopeful that she will fully recover soon. 

 
Little Petunia snuggling with her plush raccoon.
              
There is nothing quite like the unconditional and carefree love that little Petunia, and all babies like her, have to share with anyone who is receptive to receiving it. To think that this sweet girl who takes such pleasure in all the simple joys of life almost didn’t have the chance to shine so brightly is heartbreaking … but by saving each one we can, and telling their stories, we are showing the world, little by little, that there is another way – just like the veterinarians did the day they decided to save Petunia’s life rather than let her slip away. So, on behalf of Petunia and everyone else here at Farm Sanctuary, we want to thank all of you out there who are sharing your compassion and love with farm animals every day, and wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day!
 

Animal Photo of the Week: Andy

 
Rescued from a factory farm when he was just a tiny piglet, Andy narrowly avoided a sad fate and instead found refuge at our New York Shelter. Years later, this dynamic young pig has made quite a different life for himself, making lots of good friends and reveling in even the simplest pleasures. Naturally, we couldn’t resist sharing this delightful photo with you of Andy munching on some leftover pumpkins from our Celebration FOR the Turkeys. The joy in his face couldn’t be more palpable – and is a true testament to the depth of emotion that all animals possess. We hope it brightens your day as much as it did ours!