Birthday: January 2019

Rescued: August 2020

Agatha was born on a factory farm. The farm was demolished by a tornado and Agatha was left to die in the rubble without food, potable water or protection of any kind for several weeks.

Agatha came to PEAK in critical condition. She had a swollen foot–a persistent infection that had moved into the bone. Agatha had been in a great deal of pain. Although this condition is very hard to treat and the success rate isn’t high, Agatha persisted and is now flourishing. She has had multiple toes amputated, but gets around very well. Agatha is the most gentle, cheerful and loving being. Most of all Agatha is a warrior! She can be a bit of a “dreamer” and tends to go off on her own or get right under her caretakers’ feet. Agatha is very affectionate and enjoys being cuddled.

Birthday: July 2020

Rescued September 2020

Bert was rescued from a religious ritual in Brooklyn, NY called Kaporos. He is a Cornish Cross, brought into the world to be used for “meat.”

“Big white birds” are bred to grow very large, very fast. At PEAK, Bert is kept on a strict diet and has plenty of room for exercise to try and counter his genetics as much as possible. Bert came to PEAK with four other birds who were also rescued from Kaporos.

Bert has medical issues; his crop (a muscular storage pouch where food stays prior to digestion) empties very slowly. He has been to see a specialist in Indianapolis on more than one occasion! To help keep Bert healthy, we feed him several small, partially liquid meals throughout the day.

Birthday: June 2020

Rescued: August 2020

Bessie was born on a factory farm and lived there for her first year. The CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) was demolished by a tornado and Bessie was left to die in the rubble without food, potable water, or protection of any kind, for weeks. Even though rescuers offered to help survivors immediately, the operators of the factory farm denied this offer.

Bessie is such a kind and calm spirit. She reminds us of the stereotypical southern belle, with her super fluffy feathers. She is always on the move investigating and constantly chatting!

Birthday: January 2019

Rescued: August 2020

Clara was born on a factory farm. When it was demolished by a tornado, and Clara was left to die in the rubble without food, potable water, or protection of any kind for several weeks. Rescuers offered to help survivors immediately, but the CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) operators denied their offer.

Clara eventually was rescued and came to PEAK with four other hens. She was extremely nervous being handled or approached by humans, completely understandable based on the trauma she had experienced. Over time Clara has learned to trust and feel more secure and comfortable. Healing takes time. Clara is sweet, inquisitive, easy-going and gets along well with everyone in her feathery family.

Birthday: July 2020

Rescued September 2020

Dash was rescued from a religious ritual in Brooklyn, NY. He is a Cornish Cross breed, brought into the world to be used for “meat.”

“Big white birds” are bred to grow very large, very fast. At PEAK, Dash is on a strict diet and has plenty of room for exercise to try to counter his genetics as much as possible.

Dash came to PEAK with four other birds who were also rescued from Kaporos. The moment they arrived, they ran around all over checking out their new home. The boys’ curiosity hasn’t lessened since!

Birthday: August 2018

Rescued: September 2018

Everest was rescued from a religious ritual in Brooklyn, NY. He is a Cornish Cross breed, brought into the world to be used for “meat.”

“Big white birds” are bred to grow very large, very fast. At PEAK, Everest and his friends are on strict diets with plenty of room for exercise.

Everest came to PEAK with four other birds who were also rescued from Kaporos. The moment the group arrived and settled into their new space, they all started dust bathing. It was likely first dust bath of their lives, and it was beautiful to see.

Everest is independent, usually the last one to arrive on the scene because he is doing his “own thing.” He is sweet and inquisitive.

Birthday: July 2020

Rescued September 2020

Finn was rescued from a religious ritual in Brooklyn, NY. He is a Cornish Cross breed, brought into the world to be used for “meat.”

“Big white birds” are bred to grow very large, very fast. At PEAK, Finn is on a strict diet and gets plenty of room to exercise in an attempt to counter his genetics as much as possible.

Finn came to PEAK with four other birds who were also rescued from Kaporos. The moment they arrived, the guys ran around checking things out, and haven’t stopped exploring since. Finn is especially loving.

Birthday: June 2020

Rescued: August 2020

Frances was born on a factory farm and lived there for about a year. When it was demolished by a tornado, Frances was left to die in the rubble without food, potable water, or protection of any kind. Even thought rescuers offered to help survivors immediately, the CAFO operators denied their offer.

Frances is laid back and doesn’t draw attention to herself. However, she is quite assertive at meal time! (We can relate!)

Slowly but surely, Frances has gotten used to the idea of humans being kind to her.

Birthday: February 2016

Rescued: June 2016

Franklin Delano Roostervelt (Frankie) is a Silver Laced Wyandotte rooster. He was purchased either through mail order (live young chicks are shipped in a box, sometimes dying along the way) or a local farm supply store. The purchaser listed Frankie in a yard sale ad as “for free” since he turned out to be male (ie, he had no “value” as he would not lay eggs).

Luckily, an animal advocate stepped in and found Frankie sanctuary at PEAK. Frankie and Nigel took a few weeks to get to know one another, but are now the best of friends. Frankie is very vocal. He will hop to take red grapes from his caretakers’ fingers. Frankie loves to be around his humans, but does not like to be held or petted. He is usually the one to pick the dust bathing spot for himself and Nigel. Frankie and Nigel reside with Alvin and Simon in the Zen Pad.

Birthday: July 2020

Rescued September 2020

Harry was rescued from a religious ritual in Brooklyn, NY. He is a Cornish Cross breed, brought into the world to be used for “meat.”

“Big white birds” are bred to grow very large, very fast. At PEAK, Harry is on a strict diet and has plenty of room to exercise in an attempt to counter his genetics as much as possible.

Harry came to PEAK with four other birds who were also rescued from Kaporos. The moment they arrived, they ran around checking things out; their curiosity hasn’t diminished since!

Birthday: August 2018

Rescued: September 2018

Jack was rescued from a religious ritual in Brooklyn, NY. He is a Cornish Cross breed, brought into the world to be used for “meat.”

“Big white birds” are bred to grow very large very fast. At PEAK, Jack is on a strict diet and has plenty of room to exercise in an attempt to counter his genetics as much as possible. Jack was rescued with his pal, Albie. Jack quickly became the leader of his flock.

Birthday: September 2019

Rescued: October 2019

Martin was born on a factory farm and rescued from a religious ritual in Brooklyn, NY. He is a Cornish Cross breed, manipulated to grow very large, very fast.

At PEAK, Martin is on a strict diet and he gets plenty of exercise watching over his hens! Martin was rescued from Kaporos with two other babies, Sunny and Moon.

Moon and Martin now live with Agatha, Frances, Bessie, Ruth and Clara just outside our Main House. Martin is the sweetest guy who loves to snuggle up and nap in a human’s lap.

Birthday: September 2019

Rescued: October 2019

Moon was born on a factory farm and rescued from a religious ritual in Brooklyn, NY. She is a Cornish Cross breed that has been manipulated to grow very large, very fast. At PEAK Moon on a strict diet, with plenty of opportunity for exercise.

Moon was rescued with two other chicks, Sunny and Martin. Typically, we taken in roosters as they do not have as many options for safe housing as hens. We expected Moon to be a rooster, but found out later that she is a hen! Thus, Moon was our very first (surprise!) hen resident. Moon has a close bond with Martin the rooster and, together, they joined Agatha’s flock of rescued hens.

Moon is serious when it comes to looking for and finding food! She is strong-willed, independent, and curious.

Birthday: May 2015

Rescued: January 2016

We believe that Nigel was dumped; unfortunately, this is a common experience for roosters. We found him near the Sanctuary, across the street with a large wound on his back. Nigel was PEAK’s first chicken, and spent that first winter indoors! He is a Polish breed mixed rooster.

Nigel takes his mission as a rooster–“to protect and serve”–very seriously! As a result, at times he can be a little “testy.” However, he will gladly take treats from human hands. Nigel is extremely intelligent and will not be outsmarted by humans! He can be a bit nervous, a trait of his breed, so we do our best to reduce his stress by giving him space and security. Nigel’s BFF is Frankie and the two roosters live with their buddy, Simon.

Birthday: July 2020

Rescued September 2020

Obi was rescued from a religious ritual in Brooklyn, NY. He is a Cornish Cross breed, brought into the world to be used for “meat.”

“Big white birds” are bred to grow very large, very fast. At PEAK, Obi is on a strict diet and has plenty of room for exercise in an attempt to counter his genetics as much as possible.

Obi came to PEAK with four other birds who were also rescued from Kaporos. The moment they arrive, they ran all around, checking things out, and their curiosity hasn’t lessened since!

Birthday: June 2020

Rescued: August 2020

Ruth was born on a factory farm. When it was demolished by a tornado, Ruth was left to die in the rubble without food, potable water, or protection of any kind for several weeks. Even though rescuers offered to help survivors immediately, the CAFO operators denied their offer.

Named after the late Notorious RBG, Ruth—true to her namesake—is a trailblazer! She used to do her best to escape during her group’s initial quarantine. She was also often the last to be picked up and taken into her enclosure for the night from daytime outings.

Ruth can be a little hesitant with her humans, which we respect. She’s relatively easy-going but doesn’t stand for nonsense—much like the Original RBG.

Birthday: January 2019

Rescued: August 2019

Simon and five other chickens were abandoned in a cardboard box near the road at the end of our driveway. Luckily, we found them before anything terrible happened!

At the time, we were not accepting residents. However, we made it work for the safety of these sweet birds–Simon and his companion, Alvin, stayed at PEAK as roosters are not as easily re-homed.

Simon is a tiny fella (he only weighs a little over a pound!), but you would never know it from his BIG personality! Simon is extremely curious, and sometimes a bit nervous with humans. He is a feather-legged bantam rooster.

Simon is a mighty and brave chicken. His best friend was Alvin, but roomates Frankie and Nigel have taken him under their wings.

Birthday: May 2021

Rescued: August 2021

Thompson was found in an area near a live market in Harlem, NY in 2021. Live animal markets are ‘establishments’ that kill individuals including chickens, goats, sheep, rabbits and ducks, on site, for sale to customers. Thompson had somehow escaped a terrible fate and transport was arranged to get this brave guy from New York to Indiana.

Thompson is a total sweetheart with lots of energy. He is very busy all day and loves to explore! It took some time since Thompson came to PEAK without chicken friends but, with individualized attention and lots of care, he slowly integrated into the larger flock.