Skip to main content
Announcement:
Please donate to Barn during this season of giving.
We hope you enjoyed watching us in Saved By The Barn on Animal Planet!
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Meal Planner
Barn Sanctuary
  • The Barn
  • Meet the Animals
  • Learn

    Meet Our Residents

    There are over 100 rescued animals living at Barn Sanctuary. They each have a unique story, personality and history. Find out who lives here and read their stories. 

    Learn About Each Species

    Cows

    Pigs

    Chickens

    Turkeys

    Goats & Sheep

    Ducks & Geese

    Donkeys

    Featured Resident

    Betty the Turkey

    I love my best friend Sophia and hanging out with my guy pals Ben, Jerry, and Harry.

    Get to know Betty

    Did You Know?

    Turkeys have regional dialects!

  • Store
Get Involved Donate
  • The Barn
  • Meet the Animals
  • Learn

    Meet Our Residents

    There are over 100 rescued animals living at Barn Sanctuary. They each have a unique story, personality and history. Find out who lives here and read their stories. 

    Learn About Each Species

    Cows

    Pigs

    Chickens

    Turkeys

    Goats & Sheep

    Ducks & Geese

    Donkeys

    Featured Resident

    Betty the Turkey

    I love my best friend Sophia and hanging out with my guy pals Ben, Jerry, and Harry.

    Get to know Betty

    Did You Know?

    Turkeys have regional dialects!

  • Store
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Meal Planner

Hope for the New Year

Posted December 30, 2020 in Animal Stories Holidays

As we look back on 2020, without question it has been filled with challenges and hardships for everyone. However, as we reflect on the difficulties of the past year, we should also take stock of the good and remember what celebrating the New Year is all about: Hope.

One of the most poignant representations of 2020 for us here at Barn Sanctuary was our participation in rescuing hens from an egg-laying facility in Iowa. This summer we were alerted that, due to COVID-19, a massive factory farm raising hens for their eggs was “depopulating” over 100,000 hens. Situations like these have been a common occurrence among factory farms this year. Animals, like the hens being raised at this facility, already endure a life of exploitation and commodification. This year they experienced even further suffering, their lives considered even more disposable.

The Rescue

When Barn Sanctuary President Dan and Executive Director Kelly heard the news of the depopulation, they knew that Barn Sanctuary could offer help. Collaborating with Iowa Farm Sanctuary, they drove to Iowa to help save the lives of individuals who did not want to die. The conditions on the farm were dire. Outside, the bodies of birds that had been gassed were being carried away by the tractor load and dumped into piles. Inside, the hens were living in filthy battery cages – multiple birds that had been crammed into tiny cages for their entire lives. 

Outside the farm.

It was clear that these hens had never been given the love, affection and care that we believe all living beings deserve. The rescue team worked quickly to save as many hens as possible. Kelly and Dan noticed one hen in particular, who could not even stand on her own. She was listless, with her head caught under the bars of her cage. On the drive home, Kelly held that hen in her lap to help deliver her food and water, and to show her that she was safe. Although the rescue was difficult and heartbreaking, this hen had lived through so much but was still fighting to survive. Her name? Hope. 

They brought Hope, along with 22 other hens, to the safety of Barn Sanctuary. All of the rescued hens were weak, dehydrated, and their combs were pale and limp. They had never scratched in grass, or enjoyed a dirt bath in the sun – behaviors that chickens naturally enjoy. They were scared of humans and didn’t make as much noise as our other chicken residents. 

Hope on the ride home to Barn Sanctuary.

In total, 61 egg laying hens were rescued by Iowa Farm Sanctuary and Barn Sanctuary – plus more from other sanctuaries and rescue organizations. We found safe, caring homes for all of them and 5 now call Barn Sanctuary home. 

Along with Hope, we now have Laura, Cheska, Angie and Dani as resident hens. We named the four other hens after some of our amazing Barn Sanctuary volunteers who have been working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic as nurses. We are grateful for their dedication – and all front line workers – during this global pandemic.

Today, the Iowa Hens have come a long way. They now feel the sunshine on their beaks, and grass beneath them. Within weeks, their combs were red instead of pale pink, their feather quality improved, and they started to explore and communicate more. Every day they are more social and more trusting. Our team cares for each of them as individuals – something we all deserve.

Kelly showing Hope her new home.

Hope for 2021

Although this year has had one hardship after another we can do more than just hope for better in the New Year – we can create hope by showing gratitude, honoring life, and demonstrating compassion towards all beings.

Visit our End of Year page to learn about all of the good that Barn Sanctuary has accomplished in 2020.

Thank you for all of your support during 2020 – we could not do this without you!

Learn more about this rescue : a video from Dan & Kelly about their experience.

Posted by

Sarah Chouinard
Share this story

Or simply highlight text to share on Twitter or LinkedIn!

Don't miss any news from Barn Sanctuary

Subscribe to our newsletter to meet new residents, hear about rescues, see behind-the-scenes video from the show, and discover new opportunities to support the mission.

Keep Reading!

November 27, 2020

Mike’s Story: A Truly Unique Cow

November 10, 2020

Barn Sanctuary Accepts Car Donations

November 6, 2020

Commit to a Cruelty-Free Thanksgiving

Barn Sanctuary

We rescue and rehabilitate abused and neglected farmed animals by creating a safe haven where these individuals can recover and thrive.

We envision a world in which farmed animals are seen as individuals and treated with empathy and compassion. 

Connect with us

Contact Us

Barn Sanctuary
20179 McKernan Dr.
Chelsea, MI 48118

(734) 746-5009

© 2021 Barn Sanctuary is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation (tax ID number 81-2637884). Barn Sanctuary and its logo are trademarks pending federal registration. All rights reserved.

  • Privacy Policy

Get updates of the sanctuary by signing up for our newsletter here 👇

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy