How you can rescue and rehome hens from factory farms

There are over 380 million individual hens in the United States egg industry alone. And, sadly, over two-thirds of egg-laying hens spend their lives trapped in the confines of a tight battery cage. These cages inflict both physical and psychological harm on chickens, preventing them from moving or expressing any of their natural behaviors. Hens will become so distressed by their confinement that they develop harmful coping mechanisms—like pecking endlessly at other chickens or attempting to make nests out of nothing—and display many of the same signs of depression and anxiety that humans do.

During their short lifetimes on factory farms, hens lay about 300 eggs—an exhausting process that depletes the calcium and nutrients in their bodies. While a hen can live up to ten years in nature, she'll become "spent"—unable to produce more eggs—after only about two years. Because the egg industry can no longer profit off of the eggs that she lays, factory farms will typically send a spent hen to slaughter. In short, the industry treats hens like egg-laying machines, not the gentle, sentient beings that they are.

Thankfully, more and more people are challenging the industry's exploitative narrative and showing chickens the care and compassion they deserve. In the US, battery hen rescue groups and other animal advocacy organizations intervene on behalf of spent hens in factory farms, rescuing them before they're sent off to slaughter. They give hens a second chance at life outside the confines of a factory farm, allowing them to feel the sun on their feathers, spread their wings, and experience nature for the first time. While many of these hens will find refuge at farm animal sanctuaries, some battery hens rescue organizations have adoption programs that pair rescue hens with individuals and families who can take care of them.

After the trauma these hens experience in battery cages, it's natural for them to shy away from humans and take a while to warm up to their new environment at first. But, after they settle in and develop trust in humans, hens are surprisingly affectionate companion animals. You may even see your rescued hen come out of her shell and show her big personality as she experiences how good life can be outside a factory farm. And, this experience isn't just life-changing for your rescued hen—it can be a deeply rewarding experience for you and your family, as you witness firsthand how your care and compassion can change the world for chickens, one rescue at a time.

What to consider before adopting a rescue hen

Are you ready to welcome a feathered family member into your home? Like all new companion animals, the decision to adopt a chicken requires careful consideration and preparation. After all, not only does caring for your new companion require time and energy, it also requires a budget, dedicated space, supplies, and some additional help from a veterinarian. Here are some key needs to consider before adopting a hen.

Shelter and space for adopted hens

• First, make sure the place you live allows hens. If you're a renter, it's a good idea to reach out to your landlord or property management company to ask about their pet policy and ensure you have their approval. And, even if you own a home, some local ordinances have specific rules around having chickens as companion animals. Look into your municipalities' rules and regulations around chickens (local government websites are a good place to find these), and apply for a permit if necessary.

• Do you have enough space? It's true for humans, and it's true for chickens too: spending time outdoors is good for you! In fact, animal welfare studies show that chickens who spent the most time outside showed better health outcomes than those who stayed indoors. So, your chicken must have access to ample outdoor space—at least 10 square feet per hen. In addition to space to roam around, it's helpful to have tree cover, a bit of dry soil, and short, well-kept grass so hens can dust-bathe, nest, roost, and engage in other natural behaviors.

• Provide safe shelter. Chickens are vulnerable to common predators like foxes and coyotes. To keep hens safe, it's helpful to construct a safe enclosure for your hen—whether it's a full coop set-up or a simple fenced-in area. If you don't have a chicken coop, it's safer to let your hen sleep inside your home to keep them safe from predators and the elements at night.

Other animals and adopted hens

• Can you adopt more than one hen? Chickens are flock animals, and they need friends to thrive. In fact, their friendships resemble our own human friendships—they gossip, squabble, share food, dust-bathe, and sun-bathe together. Because chickens are prone to depression from lack of social connection, some hen rescue organizations will only adopt out two hens at a time to ensure that hens can always have a buddy. If you're thinking about adopting a hen, you might want to prepare for more than one!

• Do you have other animals? If you already have a dog, cat, or another companion animal, many shelters recommend having a meet-and-greet with your potential new companion before you commit to adoption. While many species can coexist peacefully with proper space and socialization, some chickens will be fearful of dogs or cats (and vice versa). If you have other companion animals in your home, make sure you take time to slowly introduce them and allow them to build trust with one another. Someday, they may even become best friends!

Caring for adopted hens

Your hen may have unique care needs

Battery cage confinement can wreak havoc on a hen's body. The wire mesh floors of these cages injure hens' feet, leading to painful lesions and foot disorders that may impair their ability to walk. The nutrient depletion they experience from constantly laying eggs, combined with a lack of movement, can also lead to lifelong osteoporosis, predisposing hens to a higher risk of fractures and broken bones. On some farms, hens will even undergo a painful procedure known as debeaking—the permanent removal of parts of their beak—which makes it difficult for them to eat food normally. If you rescue a hen, be sure to inquire about what special care needs they may have as a result of their abuse on factory farms. When you stay attuned to your hen's needs and provide them with extra support, they can still live a good, healthy life despite their injuries, and even start to heal.

Find a vet you trust and budget for medical care

In addition to the health problems they may develop on factory farms, hens may experience unexpected accidents, injuries, and illnesses. When you adopt a hen, look into veterinarians who have experience with small animals in your area. A veterinarian will not only help your hen heal from preexisting injuries and health conditions, but also provide the preventative care your hen needs to become resilient, happy, and healthy. Although costs vary by practice, regular vet bills for small animals can add up to a few hundred dollars each year, so it's a good idea to set some money aside for regular medical care and emergencies.

Your hen will need time to adjust to her new environment

Before they're rescued, battery hens only know life within the confines of a factory farm. Some hens may have never been outside or seen the sun before, while others may not have even had regular access to food or water. While being liberated from the confines of a factory farm will surely change her life for the better, the big changes that come with the experience can be overwhelming for a rescued egg-laying hen. She may have to relearn natural behaviors that were long repressed by the experience of living in a cage, like nesting. She may be hesitant to explore wide open spaces, or fearful of you and other humans. If your hen exhibits signs of fear or distress, patience is key. After spending up to two years within a space the size of a sheet of paper, she'll need time to adjust to the great, big world she's experiencing for the first time, and space to develop trust in humans again. If you show her the attention and affection she needs, she'll eventually warm up to her new environment, making your house into a home.

Battery hen rescue and adoption organizations in the US

If you're prepared to take the next steps and officially adopt a rescued battery hen, many organizations can help you find the perfect companion. Here are just some organizations that help rescue and rehome battery hens across the United States.

• Adopt a Bird Network (nationwide): This organization provides a database of adoptable birds at shelters across the country, including battery hens.

• Farm Sanctuary (nationwide, based in New York): In addition to providing homes to rescued farm animals at their two sanctuary locations, Farm Sanctuary pairs rescued farm animals with potential adopters across the country through their Farm Animal Adoption Network.

• Animal Place (nationwide, based in California): Since their first large-scale rescue of egg-laying hens in 2010, Animal Place has rehomed over 8,000 chickens from the egg industry. By applying for their Rescue & Adoption Program, you can help provide a home to these hens and support Animal Place in their life-saving work.

• Hen Harbor (California): Located in Santa Cruz, Hen Harbor provides sanctuary for both egg-laying hens and orphaned roosters, and searches for permanent, loving homes for them.

In addition, there could be hens looking for a loving home at shelters right in your community. You can research your local farm animal sanctuaries or make use of databases like Petfinder to see adoptable chickens in your area.

Rescue hen success story: Bobby Bob Bob

If you want to see how compassion can change chickens' lives, look no further than the story of Bobby Bob Bob—a little hen with a big personality. Like most hens in the egg industry, she spent the first 11 months of her life stuck in a dimly lit shed, crammed into a cage with five other hens. Throughout her confinement, Bobby Bob Bob endured a head injury that left her neck permanently twisted, as well as nerve damage to her eye that impaired her vision. Her life could have been a story of endless suffering, until, one day, undercover investigator Tamara Keneally spotted Bobby Bob and decided to bring her home.

After Bobby Bob Bob adjusted to life outside a factory farm, she became Tamara's best friend—following Tamara around the house, posing in costume for holiday-themed Instagram posts, and even cuddling up to watch movies on her laptop. And, thanks to Tamara's diligence in taking care of Bobby Bob Bob (including weekly acupuncture sessions), Bobby Bob Bob was able to jump around and play freely despite her injuries. While the egg industry intended to dispose of her at just 11 months old, Bobby Bob Bob was able to thrive in a loving home for seven years.

More ways to help hens

Adoption is a powerful way to change the life of an egg-laying hen forever. But, even if you're not ready to welcome a new feathered family member into your home, there are lots of other ways we can spread compassion and change the lives of chickens for the better. If you're feeling inspired, take action with us to end the use of cruel battery cages that condemn hens to a lifetime of suffering. Together, we can take the first step into a future where no hen has to endure the worst forms of abuse and neglect in factory farms.