The Dark Side of Feedstore Chicks
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
By Sherstin Rosenberg, DVM.
Sherstin is the executive director at Happy Hen Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit 501(c)(3) animal sanctuary located in San Luis Obispo, CA.
THE PROBLEM
Every spring, our local feedstore hangs a banner that reads “Chick Days!” And every summer, our phone starts ringing as literally thousands of people call us – all wanting to surrender roosters, ducks, and even laying hens to us.
It is overwhelming and heartbreaking.
My younger self wants to feel pure joy at the sight of newly hatched chicks, so soft and small and full of spring promise. But as the executive director and the veterinarian at Happy Hen Animal Sanctuary since 2014, that banner on the feedstore now fills me with dread, because I know what’s coming.
DOES THIS INDUSTRY REALLY DESERVE YOUR SUPPORT?
It’s hard to determine the sex of young chicks. When people buy “female” chicks at their local feed store, many of them turn out to be roosters. People mostly want female chickens because they want to eat their eggs. But please remember: for every hen bought for her eggs, there was a rooster who was discarded at birth – killed, cruelly – because he had no monetary value.
People fall in love with these adorable chicks, even those who grow up to be roosters. But most cities prohibit residents from keeping roosters, and once a rooster starts to crow, annoyed neighbors call animal services. The rooster’s guardian is told to “get rid” of him, and that is when they reach out to us.
These roosters have lived at Happy Hen Animal Sanctuary for more than eight years. That is old for a rooster, but with good care, roosters can live 10 years or more.
CHUCKLES was abandoned at a local apartment complex, all by himself.
THORIN was dumped in the Santa Margarita Lake wilderness along with several other rooster friends. A kind lady saw the terrified birds in the summer heat with no food or water and contacted Happy Hen. We immediately went to find Thorin and nine of his friends. They would not have lasted very long out there otherwise.
PHOTOS BY NOAH YAGOLNITSER
ROOSTERS DESERVE A CHANCE
Roosters are social, intelligent, and deeply aware of their surroundings. They are involved caretakers of their flock and form strong bonds with chickens and humans too. Every rooster is an individual with a unique personality, and every rooster deserves a chance to live his natural life!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Next time you see chicks for sale, politely ask the seller to stop.
Calmly explain that they are contributing to the crisis of unwanted roosters. Your feedback really does make a difference. Thank you!
