Saluting the Sun: A Day at the Rooster Sanctuary

My morning began about an hour before sunrise. I grabbed my gloves, waterproof boots, a water bottle, and a bag of assorted produce. My drive was long and dark. The voices of public radio accompanied me through the early hours. As I drove towards the eastern horizon, the sun began to peek over the prairie. Everything was still and slowly became illuminated. I had arrived.
The Rooster Sanctuary is an amazing place in eastern Colorado. With nearly 200 birds, two horses, three goats, and numerous barn cats, it truly is alive. Lyn White describes compassion as, “The greatest ethical test we’re ever going to face is the treatment of those who are at our mercy.” I can think of no greater living expression of these words than the selfless work, kindness, and love of the Rooster Sanctuary. Here, one woman dedicates her entirety to the beings most neglected by humans.
Every year, in the United States, the egg industry kills over 100 million male chicks. Since male chickens cannot produce eggs, they are considered worthless and are suffocated in garbage bags or ground up alive. Even within the smaller farm entities, including backyard chickens, roosters are often destroyed or abandoned and left for dead. Deemed a nuisance, our culture removes their right to existence. In addition to agricultural cruelty, roosters face another large threat – sport gambling. Cock fighting is a major gambling sport in the US and is currently only banned in 40 states. These beautiful birds are physically mutilated by humans, kept in dark boxes, given drugs, and forced to fight to their death, all in the name of entertainment. With so much human derived darkness, the Rooster Sanctuary, is a true ray of sunlight. The animals here have a chance at happiness, something all beings undoubtedly deserve.
I began my work, cycling through each enclosure, opening the coop doors and letting in the sunlight. Each rooster greeted the light with his own unique song. The sun reflected off their iridescent feathers as they fluffed up with excitement. It was a new and wonderful day. I have never experienced a more beautiful and magical way to greet the sun. Their music filled the sleepy prairie with pure joy. This was life, celebrated, exactly as it should be.
The remainder of the day was filled with feeding, watering, and cleaning. With so many residents, it was no simple task to take on. This is the everyday work of the sanctuary owner. One woman with an abundance of compassion for all beings. She knows and greets every bird by name, she knows their favorite treats, she monitors their health and their happiness. To her, they are not something, they are someone. She works nights to pay the bills and spends her day giving life to those most forgotten. She is kindness.
My experience volunteering at the Rooster Sanctuary is something I will never forget. My favorite mantra, which resonates deep with my being, is the Peace Prayer: “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu,” translated to mean “May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and freedom for all.” The Rooster Sanctuary breathes this mantra. The joy shared at sunrise, the pure expression of being present, aware, and alive. The selfless compassion, the kindness, the love. The connection and appreciation for all creatures. Simply beautiful.