Others like them weren’t as fortunate: countless young chicks died in the wreckage. Without a facility to raise their stock, farm workers then culled the birds they no longer had space for. Untold others died from shock, starvation, or untended wounds.

But for the lucky few removed from the rubble—including those fostered by caring advocates before joining us at our New York Sanctuary—this whirlwind disaster offered a second chance at life.

The rescued birds are all Cornish Cross chickens: the most common breed raised for meat in the United States. More than 99% spend their short lives on factory farms—windowless, warehouse-type buildings crammed by the thousands with overstressed birds. There’s good reason to be stressed: These naturally small and nimble animals have been bred to grow at a much larger rate than is natural (growth rates increased 300% between 1968 and 2008) in order to reach their five- to six-pound “slaughter weight” as quickly as possible.

You might be wondering: Do “free-range” or “organic” chickens suffer the same abuse? Unfortunately, even so-called “humane” labels don’t necessarily guarantee better treatment. “Organic” only refers to the feed birds receive, and the absence of antibiotics. And most “free-range” facilities are a far cry from the idyllic marketing of rolling green pastures. The USDA’s definition of free-range states that “producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside.” There are no requirements of how much time they spend outdoors or how much space they can access. “Free-range” farms can raise birds in sheds with a small door at the end of it that a chicken would have to wade through thousands of birds to get to.

And then, of course, there is the slaughterhouse. No matter how or where chickens live their short lives—from prison-like industrial facilities to bucolic life on backyard farms—killing is never humane. Most people see only the end-stage of this process: the rows of sterile, plastic-wrapped packages in the meat coolers at their local supermarkets. But these chickens’ lives—and untimely deaths—are more tragic than many realize.

In nature (and at Sanctuary), chickens love to explore the outdoors—from sifting through dirt for tasty bugs, to fanning their feathers out in the sun.

Despite the cruelty they face in the meat industry, Cornish Crosses are an affectionate and social breed. They’re among the most likely to climb in our laps, follow us during chores, and peck curiously at our fingers and clothes for a hidden treat or to request our attention.

And despite people famously thinking that chickens are dumb, that couldn’t be further from the truth (nor does it excuse cruelty against them). In fact, far from their “bird brain” reputations, chickens are sentient, intelligent beings. They communicate with at least 24 unique distinct vocalizations. They know their friends from their rivals in the flock. And studies show they experience empathy and a wide range of emotions, and have unique and engaging personalities.

These lucky 17 now get the chance to just … be themselves. And for the rest of their lives, they remain on safe ground. Welcome home Peaches, Killer Queen, Bowser, Poison Ivy, Honeydew, Juniper, Tia, Tamera, Yoshi, Juniper, Cannoli, Sprinkles, Baklava, Mrs. Peacock, Toto, Strudel, and Auntie Em!