FLOCK
STARS
THE CORNISH CREW
Cornish Crosses are chickens bred to be used as food and not eggs. If they look familiar, it's probably because you have seen photos of them in large groups, typical of an industrial agricultural setting. The Cornish Crew consists of Lucky, Lexi, and Layla who are five years old, Libby is the eldest at six, and Lennox is the youngest at three.
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At six weeks old, Lucky fell off a transport truck bound for slaughter. He arrived at FCFS in rough shape and suffering from multiple ailments. Lennox fell off a transport truck as well. Lexi and Layla came to us from a bankrupt factory farm and Libby was released from an animal testing lab.
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Despite what they endured before coming to FCFS, this group is incredibly affectionate and curious. The Cornish Crew are infamous for perching on us and will even enjoy a ride on our shoulders. They will also take naps in our laps and enthusiastically follow us around the aviary.
Due to breeding practices making Cornish Crosses grow at such an accelerated rate with and with an insatiable hunger, they are highly susceptible to health issues that can lead to early death as well as weight related ailments that can affect their mobility. The Cornish Crew requires increased daily monitoring and constant evaluation of their weight and diet. Being able to spend time with a loving flock of survivors is always a gift that we treasure.
CLOVE
7 YEARS OLD
Clove is a blueberry enthusiast! All the members of the FCFS flock would undoubtedly rate blueberries as their favorite produce option. However, Clove takes it a step further. Lovingly crowned the "snack monster" of her aviary, Clove is always on alert for a tasty treat. In fact, when her favorite treat is near she turns into "Air Clove", excitedly jumping for her beloved blueberries. Though Clove is an elder hen, her vertical leap is that of an all star athlete.
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Clove is very friendly with her care team, curious with visitors, and an active member of her aviary. Clove and all the FCFS residents are monitored for age related issues. Just like with humans, dogs, or cats, as the residents age, they can experience arthritis and joint issues, loss of vision, and mobility issues.
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Clove is an example of the chickens used for egg laying. Through selective breeding over generations, egg laying hens have been modified to produce far more eggs than they would if left in their natural state. The original ancestors of modern hens laid up to 25 eggs per year. In the 1920's hens laid 150 eggs, today hens lay an average of 300 eggs per year. As you can imagine egg production is taxing on the hens body and reproductive system. Due to the strain on their bodies and reproductive system, it is very common for hens to experience health problems. Some of which can lead to premature death.
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Since time is especially precious with chickens. We are grateful for every day we have with Clove and all her fellow flock stars. We celebrate every year of their life and when the FCFS chickens make it to their teen years we smile even bigger knowing that they have lived a long life in safety.
THE ROO CREW
3 YEARS OLD
The Roo Crew consists of seven bachelor roosters. All of whom were discarded and left to fend for themselves. In the fall of 2021 a staff member was driving past the neighboring state park and witnessed the boys being dumped. It took multiple members of the Care Team, several attempts, and many hours to get all the roos to the safety of the sanctuary.
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When people buy chicks, they tend to want them for eggs. Since roosters can't produce eggs and they crow, making it a potential noise complaint from neighbors, roosters are often seen as less desirable. For the animal agriculture industry in the business of selling eggs, roosters are considered unprofitable and useless.
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Eggs have a 50/50 chance of being female or male. If you look at the animal agriculture industry alone and think about all the eggs that are produced by female chickens, there was an equal amount of male chicks who were hatched and immediately discarded.
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We are grateful to care for the members of the Roo Crew. Nico, Pom, Bakugo, Rufio, Usain, Kylo Ren, and Bolin have their own bachelor pad. Without a hen to compete for, the roos coexist peacefully. Unlike Kylo's namesake, he chooses to use the good side of the force. However, In the event of interpersonal conflict, it is Bolin who steps in to restore the peace. Usain's namesake is none other than legendary sprinter Usain Bolt. Why you ask? Because, he sprinted away from the rescue effort! The Care Team had to return several times before they could convince Usain to leave the state park and join his friends. We think he's happy with his decision.
Elsa
Arriving on January 8th, Elsa was the first rescue of 2025. She was discovered perching on a window ledge by a kind person searching an Atlanta neighborhood for a stray dog in need of help. Storm Cora was looming and temperatures of the week had been as low as 19 degrees.
This person was put into contact with a long time FCFS supporter and resident sponsor. The two reached out to us for help and once we agreed to intake Elsa, they sprung into action planning her rescue.
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According to people living in the area, Elsa had been completely alone, fending for herself in the cold weather for over a month. One day she appeared in the neighborhood and no one knew how she got there. No one in the neighborhood mentioned feeding her. It appears Elsa was eating what she could find on her own. She was in the middle of the city, managing to survive the cold and avoid the stray dogs and cats in the area.
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Elsa's two rescuers were determined and diligently searched the neighborhood. Finally, they found Elsa! The got her settled in a large cat carrier, named her, an important first step in nurturing her autonomy, and made their way to meet an FCFS team member so Elsa could begin her sanctuary journey. Elsa made it to FCFS the day before snow fell in Atlanta. She arrived underweight at just 2.8 pounds, with a low body score, including lice and parasites that the team is immediately began treating. Elsa also had some feathers that were finishing the regrowing process. This means she likely endured molting season, the time when birds shed their old feathers, while on the streets. With less feathers for warmth, Elsa probably felt cold for a long time. She is brave, resilient, resourceful, and strong.
We don’t know where Elsa came from, but we can assume that she was likely someone’s backyard chicken being used for her eggs. This is common for her breed. Red Star hens are a breed of chicken known for being “hardy and prolific egg producers.” At some point, their egg production is likely to decline or stop altogether. For hens being used as a commodity, this is typically the time when they are no longer seen as useful. Since the hens are no longer “doing their job” their lives are often seen as expendable. Unfortunately, it is common for them to meet an early demise by the hands of humans, or for them to be abandoned and left to fend for themselves.
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We're grateful to be part of Elsa's story and look forward to all the milestones she will reach throughout her lifetime at FCFS. She has reached sanctuary and now has the opportunity to life a full life and safely grow old.
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If you would like to read Elsa's complete rescue story, head over to Bolin's blog. ​
