The Friendship of Marshmallow and Goblin

In April, 2016 Marshmallow, the broiler hen, was rescued from an intensive meat chicken farm. She was rescued at 6 weeks old. She was scheduled to be slaughtered at 7 weeks old. She was rescued with two other broiler chickens that night, Constance and Spring, who both sadly died. This left Marshmallow without the broiler chicken companions we had picked to live with her.

I attempted to introduce Marshmallow to my special needs group of ex-commercial hens, but after a month, I knew Marshy would never find a true friend in that group, so another friend was sought….and in walked Goblin the frizzle hen.

Goblin was rescued from the Dandenong Poultry Auction, a place where chickens, ducks, turkeys and pigeons are sold for meat, roughly man handeld, purchased for a few dollars and then taken home and slaughtered in backyards. Goblin is a tiny frizzle hen who was emaciated and terrified. She was chosen to be Marshmallows friend because of her sweet, submissive nature.

They became firm friends fast. They don’t go anywhere without the other. When Marshmallow is in the coop laying an egg, Goblin patiently waits outside the door. They wander around the paddock together. They eat together. They sleep together. They even dustbathe together. They are truly the best of friends. The smallest hen in the world and the largest hen in the world walk through it together side by side each day.

Marshmallow is currently 8.3 kilograms and Goblin is roughly 500 grams. Sadly, being a broiler chicken, Marshmallow has been selectively bred to keep growing and growing. At some point, she will suffer heart failure from the massive strain her body puts on her organs.

Although it won’t be forever, Marshmallow and Goblin continue to spend their days together enjoying what freedom should be for every chicken in this world.