In January, the guardian of three hens contacted Farm Sanctuary’s rescue team, hoping to find the birds a forever home. We learned that the hens named Stubtail, Golden, and Bethannie likely had health issues. However, being a minor, the guardian could not access veterinary care. 

With the family’s permission, we quickly began the search for the right placement—and found that Bethannie, Golden, and Stubail would fit right in with the flock at our Los Angeles sanctuary!

We were even more excited to welcome the birds after reading an inspiring and compassionate letter to our team from the hens’ young guardian, who wanted to make sure we got to know the hens as she does: as living, feeling animals with unique traits and needs. From this beautiful letter, we learned of Stubtail’s “outgoing, sociable personality” and the calls she makes when excited. Bethannie, her guardian wrote, is “a lovely, good-natured chicken you’ll come to love.” And while Bethannie “might be open to brief conversations with her new caretakers,” Golden is more reserved and fearful of humans. “But I find it helpful to speak softly to her to minimize panic,” her wise human friend wrote.

At Farm Sanctuary, this close-knit trio is bonding with the charming Joe Boo rooster, who was extremely sick and neglected when rescued—but has transformed into a happy and popular guy who struts around the sanctuary with his (now bigger) flock of adoring fans.

But even before they arrived at Farm Sanctuary, Stubtail, Bethannie, and Golden received plenty of love and care on the way. 

Brooke Marshall (Senior Manager, Wellness at Farm Sanctuary Los Angeles) traveled to meet the hens’ family in San Diego. She brought them to a comfortable, sun-filled foster space, where they stayed before going for their health checks that cleared them to join us at the sanctuary. We do this to ensure all animals—new rescues and existing Farm Sanctuary residents—are safe and healthy.

We brought the hens to All Animals Veterinary Hospital, where they were tested for bird flu and, thankfully, found not to have the deadly pathogen spread by factory farming.

Among the hens we rescue from egg production, we often see the pain caused by a life spent laying far more eggs than they would naturally, which can take a debilitating toll on their bodies. Even these three birds, who did not come from a large-scale egg farm, suffered the effects of their breeding.

During the birds’ initial 30-day quarantine period at the sanctuary, our watchful caregivers noticed that Stubtail wasn’t eating as well as Bethannie and Golden. Radiographs completed by our avian veterinarian revealed a large, concerning abdominal mass. Thankfully, a more detailed CT scan showed that this mass was not cancerous but was caused by inflammation from egg yolks in her uterus.

Treatment has helped shrink the mass and make Stubtail feel more comfortable. We’re thrilled to see that she’s regained a healthy appetite and will closely monitor her in case she needs surgery in the future. 

While surgery is not without risks for these hens, for Bethannie, urgency left us with no choice. When she, too, experienced a dip in appetite, we brought her for scans that revealed large egg masses in her uterus. Dr. Molnar performed surgery the following day, and after a speedy recovery, we were excited to reunite her with her two dear friends at the sanctuary. 

“The three birds had much to say to each other, and they were so excited to go outside for the first time,” says Brooke Marshall. “They love taking dirt baths together…and they’ve even identified the perfect dirt bath hole, where they all get in together for a cuddle puddle.”

Our supporters empower us to provide our rescued animal residents with a lifetime of individualized care, helping them to heal and thrive. These individuals also serve as ambassadors for the billions still suffering.

More than 9 billion chickens are slaughtered for food in the U.S. each year, but because we can take farmed birds under our wing, there is hope for chickens like Bethannie, Golden, and Stubtail.

While we could see that it was hard for their guardian to let them go, doing so was an inspiring act of selflessness and empathy—and her kindness deeply moved us. She wrote, “Knowing that they can receive the proper care they need brings so much relief to me…We’re incredibly lucky to have your support and will continue to cherish it for years to come.”

This trio and the deep bond they share will open countless eyes to the inner lives of farmed birds and inspire compassionate choices.