New arrivals at HEEFS
/We have some new residents at HEEFS
Many of you will be aware that HEEFS has been helping a failing farm that we refer to as ‘Farm X’ (to protect their confidentiality’). Farm X is where Fiona, Jolene, and Abigale came from, and on August 26 we welcomed 4 roosters and 12 hens from Farm X to live out their lives at HEEFS.
The conditions at Farm X are far from ideal and we are doing what we can to help as many of their animals as possible by providing food, veterinary care, finding them new homes, and for the most in need, offering them sanctuary at HEEFS. As with any new intake at the Sanctuary, the health and well-being of our current residents is our primary concern. Before bringing in any new resident, we first ensure that the needs of our current residents will not be affected by the addition of another resident, or residents, and that we can confidently be able to provide for their needs for the rest of their natural lives.
The Roosters
None of the birds arriving from Farm X were in good health, but three of the roosters were in particularly troubling condition. These three arrived with serious health issues including reduced weight, dehydration, reduced muscle mass from being confined to cages, lice, poor feather condition, as well as scaly leg mites on one rooster.
These three roosters lived in the main house at Farm X and were kept in separate cages. They have very limited mobility and, as a result, they had never even met each other or the other rooster who lived on the farm. We are very happy to report that all four of the roosters were successfully integrated within a few days of arriving at HEEFS.
Within the first week of their arrival, the roosters had all been cleared of their lice and they gained one pound each! Some have started molting and growing back nice new healthy feathers. The rooster with scaly leg mites is still being treated and we expect a full recovery.
The Hens
As with the roosters, most of the hens also suffered from lice, scaly leg mites, and poor feather condition – most likely from malnutrition. One of the hens also arrived with a painful infection called bumblefoot. We are treating the scaly leg mites and bumblefoot and providing lots of healthy food and fresh water to help all of the hens regain their health and strength.
Welcome Home
As with all new arrivals to HEEFS, all of our feathered friends are being kept in quarantine while we evaluate their health and treat their medical challenges. They are, however, getting a really great “taste” of what to expect when they join the rest of their new friends by being spoiled with lots of extra treats – grapes, watermelon, and sunflower seeds. These extra treats help with weight gain and help to make the new residents feel cared for and safe.
We have our Supervisor, Animal Care Special and resident “Bird Lady”, working very closely with our newest residents, “One of my favourite aspects of sanctuary work is seeing an animal slowly develop their personality over a few weeks or months, after being provided the care and environment needed for them to really come out of their shell.”
Next step is integrating these 16 birds into the HEEFS coop as soon as they have a clean bill of health . . . and of course, giving them all freedom names!
