Two-and-a-half-years may seem like a short lifespan. Surprisingly, the age of a human toddler is vast for Arturo and Corazón – the last standing broilers of Harvest Home. The aging Cornish Cross chickens are the remaining Hurricane Katrina survivors at our farm. The longevity of these titan birds is nothing less than a New Year’s miracle.
In September 2005, Arturo, Corazón and 11 other meat-type chickens arrived in our Stockton settlement after a long journey from tempest-ridden Mississippi. They were rescued from an abandoned Tyson Foods broiler grow-out ranch.
Broilers are selectively bred to grow at an alarmingly rapid rate. As a terminal breed raised for slaughter, broilers are not designed to live much beyond one-month-of-age. Leg abnormalities, ascites, and sudden death syndrome are the deadly fortunes afflicting these birds. As Dr. Ian Duncan of the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at University of Guelph wrote, “We are reaching the biological limit of growth and it is a mistake to think we can go on and on selecting for increased growth rate without costs to the bird.”
The Lucky-13 adjusted to the quiet life of Harvest Home quickly. But, it wasn’t long before we saw the first loss of life among our feathered bowling balls. Lucky-12, Lucky-11, Lucky- 10…. Today, luck is paired down to one rooster and one hen.
While Jack Frost sprinkles a light freeze on the San Joaquin Valley, Arturo and Corazón face a mounting battle with obesity and bumblefoot. But, the two-pack are hardly bothered by their aging exteriors. Life is a series of simple and beautiful routines:
- Watch the sunrise over the Sierra Foothills.
- Eat soybeans, rice hulls and corn.
- Peck.
- Peck.
- Cluck.
- Watch the sunset over the Altamont Hills.
As we kiss Year 2007 goodbye, Arturo and Corazón have an important peck or piece of advice:
Life is short. Enjoy the New Year one cluck at a time.
