Rescue & Adoptions

2008 Featured Rescues

Tiny Chicks Live Large at the New York Shelter

Pan, Peanut, Willow, Myfanwy, Lola, and countless other chicks were only days old when they were shipped through the mail from a hatchery and became part of the inventory at a New York tractor supply and feed store. Dehydrated, weak and cold, the chicks huddled together for warmth and comfort in stacked wire mesh cages, dying one by one as people around them failed to see that, unlike the inanimate objects on the store shelves, the little chicks on display actually lived, breathed and suffered.

Ordered from a hatchery, along with dozens of other birds, for sale to the New York feed store's customers, Pan, Peanut and company were part of a group of about 13 chicks who were unclaimed by their buyer. Already weakened from the ordeal of being stuffed into a box at the hatchery and shipped to the store without food, water or rest, the birds grew weaker as they waited to be claimed-one even lay on the bottom of her cage, unable to move. Denied individualized care, the birds clearly needed saving before they, like many other chicks marketed this way every year, lost their lives.

Stumbling upon the sad scene on an errand day, two compassionate citizens fortunately sensed the birds' suffering and offered their hands in lifting them from despair. That afternoon, the advocates approached the store manager with concerns about the chicks, negotiating the release of the sickliest one, who was a rushed to a vet and, sadly, passed away. Returning to the store once again to check on the birds a short time later, the activists found that they still hadn't been claimed, and worse, that six more had died-only Pan, Peanut and three other chicks remained.

Survivors from the get-go, Pan, Peanut, Willow, Myfanwy, and Lola have since found their way to our New York Shelter where, standing only about 4-inches-high, these tiny bantam chicks have already become quite the big characters. Pan, the feistiest little guy in the crew, has wasted no time establishing his place in the flock by propelling himself to the highest perches-or the heads of humans who'll give him a boost- puffing up proudly, and ruling over his new domain without a care.

Peanut, the smallest of the chicks, may be little, but can fly every bit as well as Pan and unabashedly throws himself into any healthy competition for choice bits of food or prime perching spots. Willow, also an excellent flyer, is the reserved one. Curious and quiet, she loves to nestle in the palms of her caregivers' hands and peek out over their fingers, observing all the wonders of the new world she's found.

Perching like a parakeet on an outstretched finger, lovely Lola likes to be petted too, but is more well-known and admired for her speed. She and Myfanwy, in fact, are always up for a race, initiating games of "chase the chick with the biggest blade of grass" whenever they can. Normally started by Myfanwy, who grabs the grass and bolts, the game usually ends with Lola, who often catches up and steals the prize.

With diversions and delights now filling their days, each of these little birds continually grows bigger and stronger. But even as they benefit from the warmth, comfort, nourishment, and loving care that allows them to live their lives as all young animals should, they still need more friends to help keep them happy and carefree. To sponsor the care of one these tiny birds through Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Farm Animal Project, please call 607-583-2225 ext. 225 or e-mail sponsorship@farmsanctuary.org today.