It was a hot August day when Dan was alerted about a local rooster, Monroe, who was in need of serious help. As soon as Monroe arrived at Barn Sanctuary, our Animal Care team swiftly examined his condition and noticed clear signs of neglect and severe malnourishment.
Our team transported him to the vet, letting him know the whole way that he was safe now and would be cared for. Chickens are so often mistreated and misunderstood, but they have great memories, can recognize up to 100 human faces, and purr just like cats. It is heartbreaking that such intelligent and loving creatures are abused by the billions on factory farms.
Our avian vet quickly diagnosed that Monroe had been starved and neglected. It was also likely that his spurs – an important part of his leg bone just above his back claw – had been burned off. His vet also suspected that, because he was starving, he had been cannibalizing his own wing and feathers.
The most shocking and heartbreaking discovery came after his vets took a series of X Rays: Monroe had screws inside his abdomen. We suspect that he had been living surrounded by junk and filth for his entire life, and was so hungry that he eat trash, including the screws, as an attempt to nourish himself. His vets recommended that we monitor him closely for a few weeks to see if the screws will pass naturally. Surgically removing is very risky and a last resort. If they don’t, Monroe will need surgery to save his life and remove the screws.
Despite all of this, Monroe is alert, chatty, and feisty. He doesn’t hesitate to show our Animal Caregivers who’s boss. The team will continue providing Monroe a safe and enriching living environment, fresh food and water, and lots of attention as we observe him in the next few weeks.
Roosters, like all animals, deserve care, love, and respect. Please help Monroe and our team by donating to his care. Stay tuned for updates.
