By Ariana Huemer | Project Leader
As the Year of the Rooster, 2017 more than lived up to its name.
The past year saw our mission expand from being primarily a safe haven for rescued egg-industry hens into a rescue, rehab and rehoming mission for roosters as well.
Roadblocks ahead
As arguably the most neglected and abandoned pet, unwanted roosters have the odds stacked against them, including:
The power of networking
It's been said that "many hands make light work," and it seems nowhere is this more applicable than in the world of animal rescue. By expanding our sanctuary partner network (thanks in large part to help from Adopt A Bird Network), we're able to find adoptive homes that are a fantastic fit for everyone involved.
In the final quarter of 2017, we found perfect placement for more than 50 birds -- half of whom were roosters. In all, 25 sweet & loving rescued egg-factory hens and 27 once-unwanted, discarded roosters have found sanctuary, not slaughter.
These are numbers we'd previously never thought possible, working on a such a small budget.
Bachelors unite!
The task of finding someone to adopt our most rambunctious (i.e., youngest) roosters, seemed hopeless at first. Their rooster-hormones drove them to harass the hens relentlessly. Fortunately, salvation awaited them at Heartwood Haven animal sanctuary, whose set-up of spacious rooster-only zones suit them perfectly.
"Our sanctuary has several bachelor flocks to accommodate different personalities and sizes of roosters," says co-founder Katya Cherimoya. "They live in the forest and love perching together. We even see them grooming each other. They form strong bonds and friendships."
At the opposite end of the spectrum was Prince, a tiny li'l rooster with a gentle soul. He was so intimidated by other birds that sometimes he didnt' want to come down off his perch in the barn to eat and drink. Even the otherwise peaceable hens would sometimes peck and chase him. Poor Prince needed a place of solitude and one-on-one attention. He got his lucky break when he found a spot at Rooster Haus sanctuary, where he's a companion to a little disabled house hen named Emily.
“He is so kind and cute. I can't stop thinking about him," says sanctuary founder Jenny Rae. "I think Emily and him will be good buds."
As for the scrawny red hens rescued at the last minute from death at an egg factory last fall, the doting care-givers at Sky’s the Limit Sanctuary carved out a perfect little space for them.
"They are sooo sweet in spite of all they’ve been through. I can’t believe it," says co-founder Shannon Hill upon meeting them. "I love them so much!"
Shannon paid for each hen to receive a hormone implant upon arrival -- something that rescuers often do to counteract the damage that excessive laying does to the bodies of domesticated laying hens. By shutting down their reproductive tracts, the implant gives the beleagured birds a break, thus improving their immediate quality of life and ultimately their longevity.
Never-ending need
But a rescuer’s work is never done, and no sooner had we dropped off the last group of adoptees, than we spotted the next bunch of animals-in-need -- huddled next to a freeway onramp!
The bright white ball of fluff that gleamed in the twilight turned out to be a little silike rooster. Wet and hypothermic from standing in the rain, Cotton still summoned up enough energy to run from us... right into a mountain of trash! There, much to our surprise, popped up a second rooster -- a bold, multi-colored rooster barely scraping out an existence in the trash heap.
After several trying hours, we had both little guys in the car headed back to the sanctuary.
Thankfully, we had space to accommodate these two newcomers easily, but such is rarely the case. With spring approaching, a flood of intake requests -- for both unexpected roosters and non-laying hens -- looms ahead.
Still on the mend
Meanwhile, Elmer -- a sweet, companionable rooster rescued in mid-December -- is still healing from a yet-undiagnosed ailment that makes him weak and off-kilter.
Elmer's spirits got a boost when he was reunited with Red, one of his former flockmates whom we tracked down at the animal shelter. Their reunion was marked by much crowing from Elmer and soft cooing from Red. He's such a devoted partner!
But Elmer's motility issues remain, and a detailed neurological exam with a specialist is in order to get to the root of what ails him. We hope the donor support that has gotten Elmer this far will carry him through until he is back to functioning at 100 percent capacity.
Companions, not commodities
As rescuers, we are beset by a constant sense of urgency, coupled with a bewilderment that so few others seem to feel the same way.
The next time the Year of the Rooster rolls around in 12 years, we hope to be asking ourselves a different question: Instead of wondering why so few people care, perhaps the question will be What took so long?
With your continued support, we look forward to the day when people know these precious birds as companions, not commodities.
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