If you’ve ever considered having a chicken as a pet, this would be a good time. Almost 600 rescued hens are looking for a new home.
The Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary just outside Stockton is caring for 565 hens. The birds were raised in cages and laid eggs for a commercial egg farm. But at 2 years old, these hens no longer produce as many eggs as before. Normally such birds would be euthanized.
Sanctuary Manager Christine Morrisey says this time the local egg farm asked if the sanctuary could help out and take the hens. "So typically a farm will retire the flock and bring in a new flock that will lay more eggs,” said Morrisey.
She says these chickens will likely live 10-12 years. Now they have a chance to reach a ripe old age, and not in a cage.
"We're thankful that we've been able to save 565 lives just in a matter of a couple of days," said Morrisey.
These chickens may have found a sanctuary, but they still need a good home. The sanctuary is taking adoption requests over the internet from people who can provide a safe place to roost.
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