Rescue & Adoptions

Healthcare with Heart Stories

Giving Birds with Disabilities the Chance to Thrive

Since 1986, when a sheep named Hilda was found abandoned on a pile of dead animals at a stockyard in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Farm Sanctuary has been a refuge and a safe haven for all farm animals - but especially for those who have been discarded by the agriculture industry. Home to countless animals once considered "throw-aways" or "acceptable losses," our shelters offer specialized care and loving comfort to those who were never given the chance to live and thrive. Here, animals labeled as worthless because of health problems or physical disabilities receive the extra kindness and attention they need. Those who would have been culled or discarded by an industry that values farm animals only in terms of dollars and cents are welcomed with open arms.

At Farm Sanctuary, we have encountered rescued animals with a wide variety of physical deformities and health problems over the years. In 2005 alone, we opened our shelters to hundreds of sick, crippled and injured animals rescued from cruelty and neglect across the country. Among these, two chickens named Hope and Fiddledeedee, and a turkey named Marino, stand out. These three birds came to us with crossed beaks, a condition which no doubt they could not have survived, were they not rescued. Likely caused by facial trauma or unhealthy conditions during incubation (such as high temperatures, irregularity of egg turning and insufficient ventilation), their crossed beaks make it difficult for them to eat, drink and clean themselves like normal birds. Thankfully, at Farm Sanctuary, these three lucky birds are given all the help they need to be healthy and content.

Hope was rescued from a home in Northern California, where he was found struggling to compete with several stronger, healthier chickens for food. Sadly, even when he was able to reach food before the rest of the flock gobbled it up, he was unable to eat much because of his misaligned beak. As a result, Hope arrived at Farm Sanctuary weak and emaciated. Marino was rescued from a man who had hatched 200 turkey eggs at his home and was trying to sell the baby chicks on the Internet for profit. Dehydrated and malnourished at the time of his rescue, his disability was likely caused by his "owner's" inadequate and unhealthy incubation techniques. Fiddledeedee was rescued from a factory farm after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the warehouse where she lived. In her case, the beak deformity was probably caused by an injury resulting from flying debris.

Today, despite their difficult beginnings, Hope, Marino and Fiddledeedee are doing remarkably well. Marino and Fiddledeedee have become great friends and are living together at our New York Shelter. Fiddledeedee has to be fed a soft mash food in a deep bowl because she is unable to eat the regular pelleted food we give our chickens, but Marino is now able to eat a normal diet. Outgoing and affectionate, they are enjoying each other's company and the persistent attention of their caregivers. At our California Shelter, Hope is thriving too. Knowing that Hope's deformed beak makes it impossible for him to pick up food off the ground or even a flat dish, caregivers pile his special mash food into deep stacks three times a day, ensuring that he gets enough to eat. A real people lover, he shows his gratitude to his caregivers by following them around and perching on their shoulders whenever he gets the chance.

Although Hope, Marino and Fiddledeedee's deformities cannot be repaired surgically due to the risks involved with such procedures, we have high hopes for them. Caregivers will continue to closely monitor all three birds for signs of health problems or weight loss and will always remain on the lookout for new ways to make them happier and more comfortable. Naturally, we wish that Hope, Marino and Fiddledeedee could have normal, healthy beaks like so many of their friends do. But watching Hope dozing off in the afternoon sun, Marino boldly strutting his stuff, and Fiddledeedee adoring her own reflection, we are able to appreciate each of them for their own uniqueness. They might look very different from most chickens and turkeys, but we love them just the way they are.