Hens Get Homes for the Holidays … and Do a Little Painting, Too

Almost 100 rescued chickens—saved from an egg farm by Animal Place sanctuary—embarked on their new lives in loving homes on Saturday, when PETA’s Los Angeles headquarters, the Bob Barker Building, hosted the biggest chicken adoption event ever. “These birds will never be used as egg-laying machines or cut up for dinner—they’ll be family companions, as beloved as any dog or cat,” said Animal Place Executive Director Kim Sturla.

Some famous faces were on hand for some quality hen time, including Simone Reyes and Allisyn Arm.

Guests snacked on vegan chicken-salad sandwiches and washed them down with vegan eggnog.

The birds had a blast, too, creating abstract art with non-toxic paints.

The chickens were rescued from an egg farm that was “depopulating” birds who were no longer productive. This is done at farms all over the country—even at so-called “humane” or “free-range” farms—but not all “depopulated” chickens are as lucky as these gals. Most are sent to slaughter, their bodies chopped up for chicken “nuggets” and “fingers.”

What You Can Do

The vast majority of eggs come from hens who are confined, with up to nine other hens, to cages the size of a filing cabinet drawer. Even “free-range” hens are generally housed by the thousands in filthy, windowless sheds. You can help chickens everywhere by refusing to buy any eggs and instead using egg-free options for baking and cooking.