“Depopulation” is an industry term euphemizing the mass slaughter of farmed animals. Typically, factory farms kill chickens like Xena when their egg production declines — usually within two years. During slaughterhouse closures, which were enforced to prevent the further spread of disease, the industry ordered farmers to get rid of animals they couldn’t sell.

Xena’s owner didn’t want the birds to suffer and released more than 600 hens to rescuers. Farm Sanctuary welcomed 14, including Xena, to our Southern California shelter.

Factory farms overcrowd hens by the thousands, but now, Xena has room to explore! She spends as much time as she can outdoors, whether eating, dust bathing, or relaxing with the flock. Here, she doesn’t need to lay eggs to have value: her days, and her life, are all her own.