It's Chic to Love Chickens!
by Jenny M, Farm Animal Manager

It has been 6 months since our legendary Beauty arrived at Pasado’s Safe Haven.  I will never forget the sad, horrifying shape she was in when she arrived.  I cannot believe how absolutely beautiful she is now.  She has definitely lived up to her name.  There are still times when I think back to that day and thank my lucky stars she was in our hands before it was too late.  Thanks again to Dr. Maas and his staff at Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital  that Beauty is now walking. 
 

After surgery Beauty required physical therapy at least three times a day and I decided it was easier if I brought her home with me.  I knew I could focus on her and she would get extra mental stimulation.

 I found myself spending every chance I could with her.  I would wake up early just to “play” outside with her.  I socialized with her like she was another member of my animal “family”.  She began recognizing my voice and running to me when I would call her name, the same way a dog would.  She is extremely smart.  Our relationship has grown into a true friendship; she goes almost everywhere with me, even in my house.  She has her own room in my house where she sleeps at night and a large fenced covered area outside where she spends time in the sun during the day while I am home.  She often will spend time with me inside while I do chores.

I didn’t expect to fall in love with a chicken… I didn’t know it was possible.  I began to wonder if there were others with a companion chicken and if there where any good solutions to cleaning up after them in the house.  I found a website called chickendiapers.com.  It was so wonderful to see there were more people that viewed chickens as family members and not dinner.  Needless to say, I ordered the diapers right away.  Ruth, the maker of the chicken diapers read Beauty’s story and generously donated a pair to her.  Here is her reply:
 

Beauty stumbled a little at first in her new duds but she is learning quickly. 

Hello Jenny, 

I went to your site and I cried when I saw Beauty's pictures.  There will be no invoice for your order.  It's free on me.  I'll have it in the mail hopefully by early next week.  Thank you for taking in a little girl who otherwise would have no hope.

Regards,
Ruth
http://www,chickendiapers.com/
A Clean Place for Chickens and Their Humans to Sit

Thank you Ruth!
 

Chickens are extremely smart and social creatures.  They are easily tamed and learn best through positive reinforcements and food rewards.  Beauty especially likes corn and my vegan banana bread.  As long as they are handled gently and treated well, they can make great companions; indoor or outdoor.  They will follow you around and sit on your lap. 

Although Beauty is an extraordinary chicken because she was handled by humans so early in life please remember that she is no different than any of the 9 billion chickens that are killed every year just in the U.S. for human consumption.  These birds live unimaginably horrifying lives- from beginning to end. 

Chickens are not protected by a single federal law.  There are many problems in the world which we feel we can do nothing about; but the systematic cruelty to chickens or any animal, is not one of them.  If we all become vegetarians or vegans, we will not participate in this cruelty and we are the better for it as well. 

Want to be Chic???!!!   Click here to VOLUNTEER!
 

Who says that Vegan and Sassy can't mix?!  Check out a couple of our favorite books filled with great recipes and info on the fabulous world of Vegan!  Beauty and all of her friends will thank you for it.