In "Farm Rescue," Facebook Gamers Raise Chickens in Their Own Virtual Backyard
Animal Advocates Use Social Gaming as Cause Marketing Medium
Contact: mark[at]animalvisuals[dot]org
(August 12, 2010) -- A new, free game by AnimalVisuals gives Facebook gamers a new perspective on farming. Prompted by the success of popular Facebook farming games and a recent resurgence in "backyard hen" keeping, AnimalVisuals has released the beta version of Farm Rescue. The game allows users to adopt chickens who were rescued from factory farms and nurture them back to health by helping them practice their natural behaviors.
The game's release comes just as a new study by Nielsen reveals that online gaming overtook email as the number two online activity. According to Nielsen, online gaming was only outranked by social networking.
The new game teaches users about the natural behaviors of chickens and enables users to send gifts to neighbors, invite friends and family to play the game, and take actions that help real chickens on factory farms. Players name their birds and help them perform behaviors like perching, nesting, dustbathing, exercising, and exploring - actions which birds are unable to engage in when confined in factory farm cages.
The more players help their hens practice their natural behaviors, the faster the birds recover and grow their feathers back. Users will watch as the birds transform from scrawny and miserable to bright-eyed, feathered birds. Once the hens regain full health, users can adopt them to good homes and earn virtual currency to be used in the game.
"As many Americans now raising backyard chicken flocks can attest to, hens are intelligent, sensitive animals with individual personalities" said Mark Middleton, the creator of the game. "Farm Rescue is a fun, interactive way for Facebook members to help save real chickens while spreading the word to their friends and family about the plight of egg-laying hens."
For more information, please visit the Farm Rescue website, or play the game now on Facebook.
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Actions
Things you can do right now.
Ask Walmart to Phase Out Gestation Crates
October 18, 2012
Sign the petition to help pigs at Walmart's pork suppliers.
Speak Out Against Extreme Confinement
February 1, 2012
A new undercover investigation of two of the top pork producers in the United States reveals pigs mutilated without painkillers and confined so tightly that they can barely move. You can help by speaking out against this animal abuse.
Help Pass the First Federal Law to Protect Hens!
July 19, 2011
In a landmark agreement, the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers have agreed to pursue the first federal legislation to protect the welfare of egg-laying hens. Please add your voice to this important effort to help all of the 280 million caged hens in the United States.
Watch and Share "Farm To Fridge"
May 18, 2011
Farm To Fridge is an excellent short introduction to animal abuse in modern food production. Please watch and share.