On January 24, 2016, we adopted 13 chickens from the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.  A friend of mind mentioned that they periodically have white chickens for adoption, and when I checked their website, they had 9 rescued hens.  I immediately went to Mountain Feed and Farm in Ben Lomond to buy hay, shavings, and lay pellets.  After setting up the coop and hen house, I got to Santa Cruz by 3pm.

They had 9 white Leghorns rescued from a factory farm. It was stated on the website that they were 2 years and 3 months old. I was told that the factory farm gets rid of their hens when egg production slows down.  A non-profit organization, Animal Place, in Berkeley, CA saves the chickens from being gassed, and then distributes them to various animal shelters.  I was fortunate to be able to adopt 9 of these special hens.

In addition to the 9 Leghorns, there were also 4 Americanas up for adoption.  They were kept separate at the shelter. No questions asked, I adopted them all.  A nice volunteer helped catch them.  As soon as the chickens got to Love Creek Farm, they checked out their new coop and took a dust bath.  All 13 were integrated together, and they get along fine. They seem to be very happy, and we are getting at least 7 eggs a day.  Who says that they aren’t laying enough eggs!

Leghorns at the shelter

Americanas at the shelter.

At home, the four Americanas take a dust bath together.