4 min readfrom chickens

Abandoned Chickens and my worst nightmare for them

Our take

In October, a flock of chickens was abandoned near my home, and my heart aches for them. Initially, I thought they were simply adventurous, but it soon became clear they were alone and vulnerable. Despite my efforts to care for them, including providing food and contacting animal services, only a few were caught. Now, they've become the unofficial neighborhood chickens, but tragedy struck when I discovered one severely injured in my yard. She was the sweetest little girl, and I felt honored to be her safe space as she passed peacefully. It’s heartbreaking to know the others may meet a similar fate, and I feel powerless to save them. Any advice on capturing the remaining flock would be greatly appreciated.

The pervasive anxiety surrounding animal welfare often manifests unexpectedly, a vulnerability rarely fully acknowledged until concrete situations force confrontation. Understanding this specific pain point requires moving beyond abstract concerns towards tangible realities, a perspective deeply illuminated by recent community experiences and the frequent, often overlooked, role of individual action. Recognizing the profound sensitivity towards animals, particularly those sharing spaces, demands a shift in one's own approach, moving from detached observation towards active consideration. This awareness isn't merely about empathy; it's a practical necessity grounded in observed distress, shaping how we interact with the world around us. Such a shift necessitates moving beyond passive observation to engaged participation, recognizing the individual within the community as a whole entity deserving of respect and, ultimately, protection. The journey requires careful navigation, balancing compassion with practicality, understanding that solutions must be both compassionate and feasible.

Left my chicken run door open yesterday and caught some squatters... plays a crucial role in highlighting the immediate human responsibility often overlooked in animal welfare discussions. The story recounts a pivotal moment where the abstract concept of abandonment crystallized into a visceral reality witnessed firsthand. It serves as a potent reminder that the potential for harm exists precisely because the individual acting can be caught off guard, making preemptive awareness and swift, informed intervention vital steps sometimes taken too late or mishandled. This narrative underscores the critical link between individual negligence or carelessness and the subsequent suffering inflicted upon vulnerable creatures, emphasizing that responsibility isn't always about grand gestures but often involves swift, decisive action to prevent escalation. Witnessing such an event vividly catalyzes a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness within our shared space.

Furthermore, the complexity revealed by the situation finds resonance in Dense vegetation PSA. RIP Annie offers a contrasting yet complementary perspective. While focused on habitat management, this piece contextualizes the broader environmental pressures influencing animal vulnerability, particularly how human activities can indirectly stress wildlife populations or alter natural behaviors. It complements the preceding account by illustrating that the challenges faced by abandoned chickens are often amplified by systemic issues like habitat encroachment or lack of protective infrastructure. Together, these perspectives paint a multifaceted picture: the immediate, personal trauma of individual neglect intertwined with larger ecological and societal factors. They compel readers to consider not just their own role in fostering a safe environment but also the necessities supporting that environment, making the responsibility feel less personal and more collective.

This understanding necessitates a reevaluation of our own actions and expectations. It compels us to question assumptions about perceived control and the true measure of our power in influencing outcomes. The desire to alleviate suffering, however small or distant, often arises from a core need for connection and a wish for safety, feelings amplified in this context. The path forward requires patience, persistence, and sometimes difficult choices, yet it holds significant potential for creating positive change, even small ones, within the community. The path forward demands careful consideration of resources, potential risks, and the capacity to support alternatives, transforming passive concern into active stewardship. The path requires balancing immediate compassion with long-term strategy, ensuring that intervention is truly beneficial and sustainable, fostering a community more attuned to the silent struggles of its members.

Therefore, navigating this sensitive terrain demands ongoing vigilance, open dialogue, and a commitment to learning. It challenges us to move beyond simply feeling sad about potential loss and instead focus on finding practical ways to contribute, whether it be advocating for better care standards locally, supporting relevant initiatives mentioned in the related articles, or simply being a steadfast presence of kindness that offers subtle reassurance. The responsibility remains, yet the potential for positive impact becomes a shared burden and privilege. Watching the situation evolve, and potentially witnessing others act upon this newfound awareness, offers hope and a renewed focus for future efforts, reminding us that collective attention, informed by shared experiences like this, can significantly alter outcomes for countless individuals seeking safety and dignity. The question that lingers, yet remains crucial, is how effectively the community can transform individual awareness into coordinated action for lasting change.

I placed this as NSFW bc it involves the death of a chicken.

I just need to vent... I'm so sad.

History

Around October, some asshole abandoned an entire flock of chickens near our house. The chickens took up residence around the neighborhood, spending nights in trees and days in our yards. Initially, I did not clock that they were abandoned.... I thought they were just adventurous with a poor excuse of an owner not keeping them properly. I did not understand they were alone until I saw them retreat into my own trees. That's when I contacted animal services...

At the time, there were around 9 chickens, 2 of them roosters. I put out feed for them in one location to try to help keep them in a predictable area. The city managed to catch 4 before they gave up the case. And I don't blame the city for giving up; these chickens are fast and agile. But how dare someone just leave them like this????

Anyway. Since it became accepted here that they would just be the neighborhood chickens, similar to the insane amount of stray cats in our area, I accepted one day, I would likely be the one to find them dead when they die of natural or otherwise causes. (They really like our evergreen trees.) I do not have the resources to care for these guys, but I do watch over them. I count myself as a "chicken lady" vs all the other "cat ladies" on our street. I have even spoken with my dog's vet about these little ones. She is equally as upset at their abandonment.

They are a resilient, dedicated, and loyal bunch. There is 1 rooster and 4 chickens now. 2 of the chickens are black, 2 are tan. The tan ones would come up to me when I used to feed them... it was so sweet. I never pet them, and I stopped feeding them when the city gave up. They graze and are healthy on their own.

Today:

Anyway... Today, a chicken found her way into my yard severely injured. She was the smallest and sweetest.

I saw her from my window in my backyard for the first time in a month. She couldn't walk straight. Couldn't fly. She couldn't lift her head. It was obvious she'd been attacked by something around the neck. I could see it clearly from inside before I rushed to her. Once I was with her, it was evident she also had a serious head injury; it was not scabbed or bleeding, but it was a goopy black. For every step she tried to take forward, she would take several backwards. She was also swarmed with flies, which she would peck at periodically to no avail. Her state was grim.

I tried to give her water, and she was so thirsty... she tried to drink, but couldn't reach the water no matter how she tried and how i tried to help her.

So I found an exotic er vet to take her to, and they were wonderful given the situation. I spent about an hour in the yard with her before I collected her into a carrier. During that time, she would come to me every so often, eventually sitting beneath me in my chair. She had the most curious brown eyes.

She let me place her in the carrier without any hesitation, and i was devastated to see how she relaxed immediately upon being inside... She'd been alone for so long. She hadn't felt safe enough to rest in idk how long.

This little girl trusted me enough to know she would be safe at my house and with me to pass. I'm honored to be a safe space, but I'm also incredibly angry. I just cannot fathom doing this to any animal, much less so many.

I know I did the right thing for her, keeping her company and giving her a peaceful death.. I stayed with her till they put her to sleep. She seemed to take comfort in my presence, and I didn't want her to be alone.. and she's not my chicken, never was. But goddammit. Watching this happen and knowing it's only a matter of time for the others... idk what to do. I feel powerless.

Thanks for letting me vent. I am open to suggestions on how I could capture the remaining flock, but I have tried many strategies over the months. None have been successful.

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#chickens#fear of chickens#chicken breeds#chicken behavior#chicken myths#chicken anatomy#chicken eggs#animal fears#abandoned chickens#animal abandonment#chicken lady#injured chicken#backyard chickens#animal services#neighborhood chickens#chicken rescue#safety for animals#flock of chickens#resilient#chicken care