Joaquin and Rooney

Animals know when they’re in an unsafe space. And much more often than we hear about it, they take matters into their own wings, hooves, or paws to try to survive. In June 2026, these two small silkie chickens did just that. This duo liberated themselves from a live market in New York City and escaped slaughter.

They are a bonded pair, and are very attached to one another. At first, we believed they were a rooster and a hen, but soon discovered they’re both roos! We named these brave chickens Joaquin and Rooney. We are still getting to know these precious friends, but they now live alongside another duo of silkie chickens—Frog and Toad—and the four are doing well together!