Hatching date: 3 June 2019

Arrival date: 8 June 2019

 

In mid-June 2019 we welcomed two separate groups of very young chicks to the sanctuary.

 

Whilst these chicks all share many inherent traits, their interest in exploring the world, scratching, sunbathing and seeking the comfort and warmth of a mother hen, the two groups are, in fact, worlds apart.

 

One group are broiler chicks, the type of chickens bred for their meat. They are the result of years of selective breeding by humans to achieve the fastest growing, largest birds possible, and their rapid growth is already apparent when viewed next to the other group, breeds bred to produce eggs. This group are the result of a school hatching project. 

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The hatching program was, from some perspective, a "success". All eggs had hatched successfully; however, the children and parents were very concerned about what would become of the chicks if returned to the organisation that had supplied the program.  They reached out to us, desperate to find a haven for the chicks.  Fortunately, we could accommodate these vulnerable babes, but the capacity of sanctuaries to take in animals is finite, and we sadly cannot help them all.

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As the chicks grew, we learned that of the six hatching project chicks, 4 were roosters, and 2 were hens.  We named them Trilby, Cosmo, Boyd, Chickadee, Carmel and Brandon.  If they had been returned to the supplier, the four male chicks, at the very least, would likely have been killed.

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To support our work caring and advocating for animals like these vulnerable chicks, become a regular donor.  Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

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