adopt an ex battery hen
The Hens
Most eggs in Canada are produced under intensive factory farm conditions where hens are confined in small, over-crowded cages for their entire life. The hens are unable to perform any of their natural behaviours such as roosting, making nests, or even walking. The cages are so cramped they cannot even spread their wings. Many birds suffer broken bones, aggression from other birds, hunger, feather loss, and foot ailments. After one year, when the birds have reached their peak production average of 6 eggs per week, they are sent to slaughter.
CCFA supports Cobble Hills Farm Sanctuary to give hens a second chance by providing them with an opportunity to peck at the earth, breathe fresh air and enjoy the company of other birds in a stress-free environment.
Although there are millions of hens in Canada confined to these cages unfortunately, they cannot all be rescued. However, Cobble Hills will begin with a small rescue of 40 hens in September when the factory farm cages are emptied (birds are sent to slaughter) so they can be re-stocked with new birds.
In a matter of days, once the hens arrive at the Sanctuary, they will regain their strength, learn to walk, nest, dustbathe, perch, and socialize with other hens. In weeks their feathers will return, they will learn to trust humans and they can explore the outdoors. They will begin laying eggs again and it becomes clear the once terrified chickens can find great joy in life.
Adoption
By adopting an ex-battery hen, you are providing a loving home to birds that will reward you with fresh eggs. Egg-laying hens continue to produce eggs throughout their life, though their production slows down as they age. They are removed from cages in September and will undergo rehabilitation for about three months, prior to be adopted out.
If you are interested in adopting a hen, click here to fill out an adoption form.
The Children
Ontario has a number of children who are Crown Wards, which means they are in the permanent care of the Children’s Aid Society, some of whom are placed in Group Homes. Unfortunately, these children are often at greater risk of homelessness, poverty, poor educational outcomes, mental and emotional issues, and crime. That said, these children have great potential, and it is critical that they be encouraged to succeed!
In addition to hen rescue, Cobble Hills has the goal of helping children (between the ages of 7-13) develop their compassion towards fragile creatures, gain self-esteem as they learn about chicken care and management, and have hope for their own futures as they see what positive changes they can personally make in this world.
The Healing Process
Farm therapy is being pioneered in other countries, but it is sometimes a risky venture as farm animals are inherently large and sometimes dangerous. Not chickens! They can be the ideal animals for children to work with because they are safe, and because the healing process can be quick, thereby offering the children a fairly quick success and sense of accomplishment.
By directly handling the hens during their rehabilitation, children develop self-control, patience and gentleness towards other creatures and themselves, while providing them with something to look forward to each week.
The children will be at the farm on the day the hens arrive to help with the initial stages of triaging our new arrivals. The children return to the farm once or twice a week to help with animal care, socialization, feeding and egg collection. They even get to take their eggs with them when they leave!
Following their rehabilitation, the hens are ready to be adopted to happy, free-range homes within three months.
To learn more about Cobble Hills Farm Sanctuary, click here to visit their website.