Free From Harm

I continually marvel at how chickens observe and sometimes follow what we do. On her third day with me, Edith the Cornish Rock chicken hen who was recently salvaged from a trash bag, comes to me when I gesture or call to her. But even more remarkable, Edith climbed her first flight of stairs to join me at the top, but only when I encouraged her to do so. On the other hand, when I did not call or gesture to her to climb the stairs, she remained below. … READ ON

Danita displays a strong interest in protecting her flock. Her actions would seem to reflect that she has a sense of moral duty to her flock. But the way she acts to protect her flock is not based on instinct or the carrying out of a repetitive and thoughtless action. On the contrary, the way she responds to a perceived danger to the flock varies in each situation that she is presented with. It also varies based on her disposition that day. It seems reasonable to conclude that she is making executive decisions based on a variety of circumstances unique to each situation. … READ ON

Chickens will readily form an emotional attachment with us. It’s not a question of “can they” but of “can we reciprocate?” Sleepy Doris, pictured here, looks up into my eyes for reassurance and recognition, just like a dog. Stroke her back and she has the reassurance she needs and will go back to nuzzling up against your side. … READ ON

Among the many fascinating discoveries I’ve made in the process of raising a flock of adopted hens is the lovely and soothing sound of a chicken purr. Yes, you heard right. Chickens purr like cats when they’re happy. Well, at least one of the hens who loves to curl up on my lap and take a nap. In this video clip, I’ve recoded Doris the hen’s purring for you. Enjoy! And pass along to others! … READ ON

Danita is a gorgeous Black Rock hen with thick and luxurious plumage full of iridescent blues and greens and large, dramatic Cleopatra eyes. She is a gentle and kind alpha female who is also quite assertive, independent and courageous. On a number of occasions, she has made her way to the highest point in the yard, on top of the patio table, to warn her flock of potential predators in their midst, putting herself at great risk. … READ ON

To understand the complex suffering of turkeys raised for “food,” it helps to know that in nature, young turkey siblings stay close to their mother for four or five months after they are born. She is the center of their universe. Although turkeys raised commercially never see their mothers, the expectation of her is alive in their genes. In nature, when the maternal family is on a stroll, if one of her poults starts peeping distress, the mother bird clucks reassuringly and, if the peeping persists, she rushes to comfort her little one. … READ ON

Sandye was an exceptionally quiet, stoic and peaceful hen. Her only vocalization was her characteristic soft squeal — a truly unusual and curious sound indeed and actually very pleasing to the ear. Sandye was nonetheless a deeply loyal companion of mine and would express the connection she felt for me in her typical stoic fashion. In the warmer months, I’d often sit outside on the patio, working on my laptop, and at some point, I’d look down and find her sitting at the base of the table by my feet. And there she would remain for long periods of time. I’d often pick her up and sit her in my lap. She was so very content to remain there as well. … READ ON

A new study published in the quarterly, peer-reviewed journal, Anthrozoös, tests whether interaction with cows on a farm improves symptoms of clinical depression in people. One group of people spent two days on a farm for a 12 week period while another did not. Among the farm group, significant differences were found between the start of the study and the final week on measures of decreased depression and increased self-efficacy, indicating that interaction with farm animals may be a successful intervention for clinical depression. … READ ON

It seems both silly and unscientific to believe that humans are unique in our capacity to feel and think, as if we didn’t evolve, along with other mammals, to have these capacities for a purpose. Such assumptions seem more the purview of those who deny the reality of evolution than those who embrace science. … READ ON

“Happy, healthy animals are beautiful to behold. They make us smile, and there’s value in that. But pleasure has deeper meaning and significant implications for humankind’s relationship with other animals. Pleasure adds intrinsic value to life – that is, value to the individual who feels it regardless of any perceived worth to anyone else. Pleasure seekers have wants, needs, desires, and lives worth living. They can have a good quality of life. If we let them.” … READ ON

In the first study of its kind, researchers at the University of Chicago show that rats engage in empathy-driven behavior, helping to free a trapped cagemate for no reward other than relieving its fellow rat’s distress. Rats chose to help each other out of traps, even when a stash of delicious chocolate chips was on the line. … READ ON

Animal advocate and rescuer Karen Dawn released a new video short about the turkeys that she has rescued and what life is like for them after she has adopted them. For most of us who know only dead turkeys tightly wrapped and on display on supermarket shelves, the spectacle of seeing living turkeys for who they really are as individuals is a real eye opener. The children in the neighborhood around Karen flock to get to know these turkeys and bond with them like true companions, as if they were dogs.
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