Abandoned chicks find new home

Almost 150 newly hatched chicks were abandoned near Leipzig in wintry temperatures - now they have found a permanent home. The animals were handed over to the Federherz association in Bergheim (NRW), said the head of the Leipzig animal shelter, Michael Sperlich, when asked by dpa. This association specializes in the care of such animals and offers them a perspective on life. "These animals will not reach anywhere near the age of a chicken of a classic domestic chicken breed, but they will live a much longer life than was intended for them on fattening farms where they were kept in severely cruel conditions," Sperlich emphasized.

Fattening chicks abandoned under life-threatening conditions

The 145 fattening chicks were discovered the previous Friday morning in a field near a shooting range north of Leipzig. The police collected the animals and brought them to the Leipzig animal shelter. There they were nursed up with warmth, water and food. "The conditions were life-threatening for the animals because they do not yet have protective plumage," explained Michael Sperlich, head of the Leipzig animal shelter. One animal had not survived.

Fine of up to 25,000 euros threatened

The Leipzig police department had initially investigated the violation of the Animal Welfare Act. "After consultation with the public prosecutor's office, however, an administrative offense under the Animal Welfare Act has been committed," explained a police spokeswoman.

According to the North Saxony District Office, which is now responsible, the chicks were abandoned by a private individual. The proceedings at the food monitoring and veterinary office are still ongoing, with the maximum possible fine theoretically amounting to 25,000 euros, explained an authority spokesperson.