# Who adopts chickens - need answer fast **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 1, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299 "2025-12-01T20:32:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/1 "2025-12-01T20:32:38Z")
I’m in property management. I just did a move out today. The asshole tenants left a chicken in a small cage in the backyard with no food and very dirty water. The one next to it had already died. The animal shelter is closed today. Need help with suggestions on who to call? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/2 "2025-12-01T21:07:03Z")
Ahh..Congrats: looks like you’re a new mother. At least til the shelter opens. I wouldn’t expect them to just take the bird. Usually to surrender animals there’s a nominal fee. Plus they may not have the facilities. You might call Vets offices. You could just get a chicken lover or someone who knows one. Good luck ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/3 "2025-12-01T21:10:13Z")
That poor bird. Agree with @Beckdawrek that you’ll have to at a minimum wait until the shelter opens. Keep it warm, make sure it has bedding, food and water until you can contact someone. Just a light bulb will be enough for warmth. I think your best bet for a quick response would be to advertise it on your local Next Door or Craigslist. Someone will probably be willing to take it. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/4 "2025-12-01T21:11:34Z")
Oh yes. There are people who will drive a distance to come get a healthy bird. Does it look sick? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/5 "2025-12-01T21:14:16Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Does it look sick? Surprisingly, it looks relatively healthy. I’ve got it comfortable for now. I don’t mind paying a pick up fee. I don’t care who takes it as long as they convince me they have it’s best interest in mind. Something I’m not sure could happen with Craigslist, ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/6 "2025-12-01T21:14:59Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > That poor bird. Yes, I’m fuming at those people. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/7 "2025-12-01T21:15:07Z")
Oh, I agree you need to make it clear what you expect from the person giving it a home. Otherwise, it will end up on a dinner plate. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/8 "2025-12-01T21:18:05Z")
Well, chickens are often eaten. I doubt any one in the suburbs would be willing to butcher one. It’s very unpleasant. Not as long as Kroger has chicken for sale. My problem would be dog fighters and cock fighters coming to grab it. (Dog fighters use live chickens to bait dogs) ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/9 "2025-12-01T21:25:11Z")
there are people who enjoy having backyard chickens. a friend of mine has a lovely, very spoiled flock. check with vets. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/10 "2025-12-01T21:28:53Z")
I loved my hens. They are all retired old biddies now. All noise, no eggs 😑 But it’s ok. I gave them a promise I would do my best by them. But there are also evil assholes in the world who do criminal things with free animals off Craigslist. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/11 "2025-12-02T13:53:49Z")
FWIW, the last time (and only time) something like this happened to me, I called a friend who had backyard chickens to ask for advice, and he adopted the foundling. Actually one of my best friends found the chicken wandering the road, looking very emaciated. The friend called me for help. I then called the friend with chickens. The finder had tried all the local bird and animal sanctuaries with no success. Good luck to you! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/12 "2025-12-02T14:17:42Z")
I know that in Cleveland, residents are allowed to keep chickens, but I think that there’s some paperwork to get a permit for it. If your locality has similar paperwork, there might be some office who has a list of registered chicken-owners nearby, any of whom would likely to be happy to get a free bird added to their flock. Then again, that paperwork also specifies a maximum number of chickens allowed (it depends on the size of the lot), and most owners are probably already at their maximum. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/13 "2025-12-02T16:33:21Z")
Facebook chicken groups are probably your best bet. I guess Cleveland was mentioned so I will post these groups: Ohio Chicken Swap [https://www.facebook.com/groups/128571680657908](https://www.facebook.com/groups/128571680657908) Cleveland Heights Chicken Keepers (and friends) [https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClevelandHeightsChickens](https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClevelandHeightsChickens) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/14 "2025-12-02T16:37:11Z")
I only mentioned Cleveland because that’s the place that I know. I have no idea where the OP is. But yeah, there are likely to be Facebook groups for his location, too. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/15 "2025-12-02T16:40:59Z")
Call the farm stores in your area and ask if they know anyone who will take the chicken. In some cases, the store itself sells chickens and might add it to their own inventory. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/16 "2025-12-02T16:59:25Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > Facebook chicken groups are probably your best bet I didn’t know chickens could type, or do they just hunt & _peck_? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/17 "2025-12-02T18:17:40Z")
I saw one at the County fair who could play piano. So yeah, typing is a possibility. Also saw a creepy two headed snake, but I digress…. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/18 "2025-12-02T18:17:48Z")
{groan} Thank you everyone for the suggestions. Due to that, I was able to get the poor thing rescued. Again, thanks ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/19 "2025-12-02T18:19:30Z")
Yay! Fredricka the feathered friend is home. Among her kin, I hope. Good job, @Lucas_Jackson ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299/20 "2025-12-02T18:19:32Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Also saw a creepy two headed snake, but I digress…. That’s hiss-terical! but two heads are better than one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-adopts-chickens-need-answer-fast/1025299.md?page=2)