Ironically, this catastrophe—which killed more than 300,000 trapped hens—wound up saving her life.

Red Star hens like Phoenix are bred for excessive egg production. Within a year or two, once this production declines, farmers typically send them to slaughter. This occurs even on “humane” farms like the one where Phoenix lived. These chickens were also debeaked — a painful procedure done without anesthetic to prevent birds from fighting due to overcrowded conditions — and had very little space to roam.

It’s a miracle that Phoenix and her new friends escaped from the flames. Now, just like her fiery namesake, Phoenix has risen from the ashes of their horrific past to begin life anew at Farm Sanctuary.