The Hens...

This is a difficult post to write....I have been putting it off long enough.

About 3 weeks ago I was writing how the hens enjoyed their first day in the sun. Over the next several days they were so excited to go out & peck around with their new found freedom.

On Wednesday almost 3 weeks ago I was home & let them out as usual. I went to check on them about 11am & they were pecking & scratching 50 feet or so away from the barn.

At 3pm I went over again & they were no where to be seen. I spend hours walking the property calling (they would usually come running to my stupid chicken call !) & looking for any sign (good or bad) of their whereabouts....nothing.

I did up signs/picture & put them in every mailbox within a km of here as well as in our local food store. I had a feeling I would look out & they would just be there again. Obviously my "feeling" was wrong. They have still not returned.

It is so strange they all disappeared together. The only thing I can think is they wandered into the forest (quite a walk for them) & got lost .Unfortunately there are predators in the forest too.

I feel so guilty we did not pen them up. I honestly thought (& was told) they would stay close to the barn on their own. These are our first chickens & my ignorance cost them their lives....I am so sorry girls. I hope you enjoyed your life free from a cage for the short time you had here. I so miss your songs in the morning , we loved having you here.

We hope to rescue more battery hens soon & will do things very differently.

a young animal advocate....

This past week I received an email from a girl about placing 4 chicks. I called the phone number & asked for her by name ( I will call her "A")....this young voice (12 yrs old) came on the phone & explained to me how her class had 4 chicks they had raised that were to be turned back over to the "producer" on Monday. She wanted them to live & was trying to find a forever home for them. I told her I would gladly take them & we would make arrangements this weekend to get them here....she was so excited (as was I !)

I came home from work yesterday to a phone message from this young girls mother."A" was too upset to talk. Apparently a mother of one of the classmates was the one who arranged the chicks to be in the classroom in the first place. They were to be returned to the producer after they had grown. The other mother got wind that they were trying to find a home at a sanctuary for the chicks & quickly got them back to the producer before we could arrange things! My God, we would have paid the few dollars the producer thinks they are worth to save them. What is wrong with people?? What a horrible example for her own child in the classroom!

Poor "A" was very upset (as was her Mother). What a thoughtful, compassion young lady "A" is. I told her she will make an awesome animal advocate/activist one day! She is going to join us at the Toronto Vegetarian Association parade in Toronto on June 5th & help me hand out "Snooters" pamphlets!

A failed rescue ;( but a found friend !

New site in "Links of Interest"

Take a minute & check out the new site in "links of interest" to the right. A lot of excellent info!

His work is done - Goodbye, Edgar.

His work is done - Goodbye, Edgar.

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*** this post is about a special pig from Australia....please click on the "his work is done(small case)" & read his story. RIP dear Edgar Allan Pig

Flossy in a You Tube video!!

Check out this video on "rescue" animals....our Flossy is in it! (approx the 1:41min mark). You will recognize the pic as it is the one we use on our bookmarks & as our "home" page picture for Snooters web site!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8miJcfFBf_0

Spring & the hens!!!

Anyone who lives in southern Ontario knows we have had some amazingly warm temperatures for March & now April. Those of us who experience winter REALLY appreciate spring!!

The 4 hens we rescued last November lived their lives confined to a cage the size of a piece of computer paper....no fresh air, no sunshine, only knowing contempt from their caregivers."Stop laying eggs & off to the slaughter house"...

Well, these gals have blossomed!!! They went from being bald (from stress) to beautiful feathers....from being terrified of people to running for attention from any human who enters the barn. They sing their lovely "song" morning, noon & night to anyone who will listen.

Yesterday I opened the big barn door for the first time & they moved as a "pack" to investigate....looking up at the sun & blue sky ...then looking at me for a signal if it was okay to go out. I told them it was okay & off they went...pecking, scratching, spreading their wings in delight!

Enough to bring tears to your eyes. Anyone who says chickens are dumb , I say you have never met a chicken...they are very intuitive to all their surroundings.

The pictures above are them right out of the factory farm & then now, enjoying the life they should lead!

Thanks Christen for bringing them into our lives!