Broiler Chickens

What are Broiler chickens you ask? Broiler chickens are chickens who have been selectively bred by the meat industry to grow as big and fast as possible for human consumption. Every year, over half a billion chickens are raised and slaughtered in Australia alone. These chickens grow so fast that they reach their target slaughter weight at only 5-7 weeks old. A 5-7 week old chicken is still a baby who chirps and looks for mothering and love, but they have the body of an adult. Instensive chicken farming began in the 1950s. A typical chicken “growing” shed can house between 40,000 – 60,000 chickens at any one time. The chickens have very little room to move and the air is filled with dust, bacteria and ammonia. These sheds are dimmed so as not to encourage too much activity from the chickens and promote eating. Broiler chickens live an awful, short life in dark sheds just so humans can eat them.

Please read Animals Australia’s factsheet about Broiler chickens here http://www.animalsaustralia.org/factsheets/broiler_chickens.php

In January 2012, we rescued five ex-battery hens and four broiler chickens. The first two broiler chickens we met were Molly and Chloe.

Molly and Chloe were absolutely terrified. They refused to come out of from the dark in the chicken coop. I had to pick them up and put them outside in the sun each day and they slowly became less scared.

Molly and Chloe were best of friends. Molly looked after frail little Chloe and sheltered her at night. Molly used to sleep next to Chloe with her wing over her. Sadly, Chloe passed away in early February from multiple health problems that these birds suffer due to their large, selectively bred size. Chloe was a sweet, gentle little soul who is greatly missed by Molly and myself. She was only 3-4 months old. Her little body was laid to rest, something most other broiler chickens are denied. Chloe’s body will be able to truly rest in peace under the blackberry bushes.

Lily (below) is a serious girl who is constantly on the lookout for danger. She’s not a big fan of cuddles, but loves watermelon!

And Matron Maggie (below) loves a cuddle and is a bit of a loner. Maggie’s favourite food is corn and she prefers the company of the ex-battery hens rather than the broiler girls.

Molly, Lily and Maggie will, more than likely, pass away soon due to their size and health problems, and it’s an incredibly  heartbreaking experience for me. But, if I could save them all from their awful fate I would. Chickens are one of the most used and abused animals on this planet. They are gentle, sweet, clever birds who deserve a happy life.  Please think before you eat chicken. Your dinner isn’t worth their misery.

Please enjoy a slideshow of these four beautiful girls who have touched my heart. Best viewed fullscreen.

Please don’t use my images without permission. All images are Copyright Tamara Kenneally.

The Beauty Of The Mute Swan

 The Mute Swan is native to Europe and Asia and is an introduced species here, but it’s uncommon to spot them in your local park or waterways.

My beautiful subject for this series is a lovely female Swan who is actually very tame, she’s even let me pat her.

Capturing these images requires time and patience. Some days she will jump and make the most beautiful shapes and other days she will just sit next to me refusing to model.

Either way, I am thrilled to be in the presence of such a gentle, beautiful soul.

I hope you enjoy this series as I continue to work on it.

Please don’t use my images without permission. All images are Copyright Tamara Kenneally.

The Gentle Steers

A herd of 50 steers turned up in the paddocks behind our house in about October 2011. Many herds of cattle have come and gone from these paddocks over the years, but never has a group been so friendly and inquisitive. They would follow me, recognise me and walk up to me, they even licked my sister’s boots. They were beautiful, gentle, young, curious boys.

 I got to know their faces and personalities. I shared bonds with some and let the shy ones avoid me. I gave my favourites names (albeit silly names). There was Patch, Zorro, White Face, Darcy, Mr Serious, Ranger and 45 or so more.In early February they disappeared, something I knew that was going to happen, yet I still wasn’t prepared for.

 I’ll never see them again because they have gone, gone to be slaughtered for human consumption. I’m not really sure how it’s ok to kill thinking, feeling, unique souls just because people want to eat meat…it’s something I will never understand.I was honoured to be able to spend time with them, watch them and interact with them. May your souls Rest In Peace lovely boys. I’ll miss you.

 Please don’t use my images without permission. All images are Copyright Tamara Kenneally.

No Walks Today

Take a walk around a suburb and you will hear dogs barking. These are the bored, left at home alone in backyard dogs who are going out of their mind with boredom and confinement.

Dogs are pack animals, whose need to walk, smell and be part of a pack is integral to their happiness and well-being.

It’s not ok to leave a dog alone all day without mental stimulation. It’s not ok to not walk your dog everyday. It’s not ok to not treat a dog like part of your family.

There is a distinct difference in behaviour that is dislplayed by an enriched dog in a backyard and a dog who is getting no mental stimulation, attention or walks in a backyard. All the dogs pictured in this series are known to me and are known to be neglected and overlooked. One is locked in the sideway of a house 24 hours a day and all the others bark all day and night, escape often and NEVER get walked.

There is a great sadness to the forgotten, left alone dogs of the suburban backyard.

Please don’t use my images without permission. All images are Copyright Tamara Kenneally.