Loving Ellie

Ellie was surrendered to the sanctuary at just 16 weeks old. A couple contacted us who had a blind hen who was being picked on by the rest of their flock. We had only started the sanctuary a few months prior and knew nothing about caring for a disabled chicken. Yet, we knew that we would figure it out and do whatever she needed. We asked for feedback from other sanctuaries, checked in with our vet on what special needs Ellie might have, and got ready for her arrival.

So, on November 6, 2022, Ellie joined our family.

It turned out that Ellie wasn’t a hen; he was a rooster. His beautiful, long, black, iridescent tail feathers, which so many people would come to know and love, revealed his true identity! 

Right away, Ellie showed us how smart he was by mapping out the coop floor plan and identifying where his food and water were. It was our biggest concern when we accepted him to the sanctuary - that he’d have challenges with eating. Nope! In those first few winter months with Ellie, we learned so much. Ellie wasn’t a fan of perching (his gait was always a bit off as he tried to balance and coordinate where he was) and didn’t like the ramps we offered him. He wouldn’t wander outside on his own, and we’d have to pick him up - but we couldn’t blame him for not wanting to be outside in the winter snow.

It was in April that we truly realized Ellie's magic. We quickly learned how much he loved human touch and company. Maybe it was that we adored him since he was so young; maybe it was just in his nature. Either way, he was the most gentle and affectionate rooster. Ellie would purr (a trilling chicken coo) when cuddled or whispered to. He enjoyed lying on us, especially on the couch or in the hammock, where he could stretch out.

Ellie made so many friends at the sanctuary. While Henry was a bit too energetic to be Ellie's housing mate, he still loved spending time with his brother and being around the sounds of other chickens exploring. After Henry had gotten too excited and startled Ellie a few times, we realized that Ellie needed special accommodations. So, last August, Ellie moved indoors!

Bringing Ellie indoors sparked a whole new chapter of adventures. It didn’t matter if it was raining outside or too cold; Ellie would come out to the couch, and we’d spend an afternoon reading, puzzling, or just watching TV. He quickly adapted to the cats brushing up to him and Pancake claiming her spot at his bum. 

Then, when Penny joined our family, we would bring her and Ellie out for picnics, and we realized something magical. Ellie didn’t mind when Penny bumped into him. Unlike with other chickens when he’d get startled and try to stumble away, he allowed Penny to try to crawl underneath him like his own baby chick. In the blink of an eye, they became inseparable, and eventually, it made no sense to separate them at all - Penny moved into Ellie’s room. It seemed like it was happily ever after. And it was, for a while.

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Ellie left our world today, but I don’t want to focus on today. I want to focus on the life and legacy he’s imprinted into all of us. We had over two incredible years with our baby boy, and I will cherish every moment I got with him. 

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To our supporters: 

One of the first pieces of advice we got when we told people we wanted to start a chicken rescue was to prepare for heartbreak. There’s been lots of it over these past three years. Over the seasons, we’ve had to say goodbye to eleven sweet chickens. Peggy, Betsie, Em, June, Cora, Margaret, Maggie, Angie, Jewel, Henry, and Ellie. I’m worried that as we continue to experience loss—an inevitable part of sanctuary—people won’t want to follow the sad sanctuary page because it’s too depressing.

I hope you will stick with us through the happy and sad times. They say it’s better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. And I know we love our chickens with all of our hearts. It’s together, with your compassion, that we can provide chickens with every opportunity to live happy and healthy lives. No matter how long those lives are, we’re dedicated to showing them a world where they are treated with respect, dignity, and, above all else, love.

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