Recent Events at the Farm Animal Sanctuary – June 2025
Serama Squad
This spring, we welcomed four tiny chickens—barely larger than our pigeons—who somehow survived the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Amid the chaos and destruction, someone made the remarkable decision to rescue these petite birds, giving them a second chance at life.
This tiny but mighty foursome came to us from the January 2025 LA Fires.
These little survivors are Seramas, a breed that originated in Malaysia’s Kelantan Province as early as the 1600s. The modern version of the Serama was developed in the 1970s and made its way to the U.S. in 2000. Though their numbers were nearly wiped out during the Bird Flu epidemic, the breed’s resilience has helped them bounce back.
Despite their tiny size, Seramas have big personalities. They’re bold, expressive, and full of charm. The roosters crow with the same confidence as their full-sized counterparts—though not quite at the same volume.
The first question visitors ask when they see them is, “Are they full grown?”
Yes, they are! Small in stature, but overflowing with character, our Seramas are a delightful reminder that courage and resilience come in all sizes.
Summer Interns
Herd & Flock has been fortunate to welcome many dedicated volunteers this summer, including two outstanding student interns: Cody and Eliette.
Cody poses with Rocky Steer.
Cody, a friend and schoolmate of our manager Gideon’s son at Cal State Humboldt, has spent the past few weeks immersed in sanctuary life. Whether it’s cleaning up after the animals, helping with daily chores, or keeping an eye out for rattlesnakes, Cody has been a reliable and cheerful presence. He’s heading off soon to spend the rest of his summer elsewhere, and we’re grateful for the time and energy he’s shared with us.
Eliette holds Bert as we put the sanctuary to bed.
Eliette joins us from UC Berkeley, where she is studying Biology with plans to become a veterinarian. Thanks to a grant that funds two months of full-time work, she’s been learning all aspects of sanctuary care—from preparing meals and refilling feeders to performing animal checks and helping with our medical records. She’s also lending her skills to our social media efforts, helping us share more stories from the sanctuary.
We’re so grateful to Cody, Eliette, and all our summer volunteers for their hard work and commitment to our mission.
Bert, one of our four “debeaked” chickens.
Nearly three years ago, Herd & Flock took in four very special chickens—three hens and one rooster—who had suffered a devastating injury: their top beaks had been completely removed. This disfigurement occurred when they were just chicks at a feed store.
Bert
In industrial hatcheries, it’s common practice to trim the sharp tips of chicks’ beaks to prevent them from pecking one another in the crowded conditions. But in this case, something went terribly wrong. Whether due to inexperience or carelessness, more than two dozen chicks were severely mutilated, with many unable to eat and eventually dying of starvation.
A compassionate customer at the feed store noticed the suffering birds and contacted a sanctuary for help. We agreed to take in four of the surviving chickens and give them a chance at a safe, supported life.
At first, they managed well. We soaked their food to create a soft mash they could scoop up using the lower part of their beaks. But over time, they began to lose weight. They couldn’t get enough nourishment on their own.
To keep them healthy, we now hand-feed them twice a day. We mix layer pellets into a sticky mash, form it into small balls—or “torpedoes”—and gently place each one into their mouths. It’s time-consuming, but it’s what they need to survive.
Recently, one of the hens, Bert, developed a swollen crop—a digestive issue that can be serious if not treated. With medication and care, we were able to bring her back from the brink. After adjusting the mash recipe to improve digestion, she’s doing much better.
Bert is a gentle soul, blind in one eye but full of resilience. We’re hopeful that, with continued care, she’ll enjoy a long and peaceful life here at the sanctuary.
Exciting News—and a Word of Caution!
Diego snoozing at the Red Barn, soon the be painted
We’re thrilled to share that we were recently selected as the winner of Brooks Painting, Inc.’s annual nonprofit giveaway! Each year, their team donates a day of labor to paint a local nonprofit’s facility—and this year, they chose us! Our beloved red barn is in desperate need of a fresh coat, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Keep an eye out for photos of the barn’s beautiful new look coming soon!
One of the rattlers we carefully caught and relocated on the sanctuary property.
In other news, rattesnake activity is unusually high this season. In May alone, we relocated 18 rattlesnakes from around our house and barns. For comparison, we moved only seven during the entire season last year (May through October)! Thankfully, the rattlesnakes native to our area are a smaller, more docile species, and as long as people watch where they step, they are unlikely to be bitten.
While the people at Herd & Flock are relatively safe, the rattlers do pose a danger to animals. Just a few weeks ago, our cow Rocky was bitten. While he recovered well due to his size, a bite can be far more serious for smaller animals like goats and dogs. We must proactively look for rattlers in their living areas, but there is only so much we can do. However, there is some sense of security in the knowledge that the UC Davis Veterinary Hospital is nearby and keeps anti-venom on hand.
Come Celebrate with Herd & Flock This Fall!
We’re excited to be part of two fantastic late summer and early fall festivals—mark your calendars and come say hello!
Join us at the Bizerkeley Vegan Food Festival
📍 Bizerkeley Vegan Food Festival
September 7, 2025 | 12:00–6:00 PM
1759 Acton St., Berkeley
📍 Sonoma VegFest
September 27, 2025 | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa
NEWLY ADDED!
📍2025 World Vegan Fest
November 1st, 2025
SMC Event Center, 1111 Gough St. S. F.
We’ll be rocking out to great music, trying all the amazing vegan food, selling our sanctuary T-shirts, and spreading the word about our rescued animal residents and the many benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.
Stop by, meet the team, and help us share the love!
Donations in Kind
Did you know we could make great use of a few gently used items? If you’d like to donate any of the following, please contact Meghan at meghan@herdandflockanimalsanctuary.org
- Refrigerator, 2 needed
- Laundry Dryer, 1 needed
- Metal Cabinets, 2-4 needed
- Metal Wire Shelves, stand alone
- Yard and workshop tools