DOWNTOWN — Move over, cats and dogs: Animal Care and Control has a whole flock of roosters up for adoption.

The roosters are part of a group of 114 chickens, including hens, rescued from an Englewood home earlier this month. The chickens were living in “inhumane conditions,” all inside one garage. Many were missing toes and feathers and had open wounds, according to Animal Control.

There was also evidence some of the chickens had been fitted with combs or spurs used to hold small knives like those used in cockfighting.

In the past, roosters used in cockfighting were automatically euthanized. Instead, Chicago Animal Care and Control decided to try to rehabilitate and adopt out the chickens. It partnered with several local organizations to get most of the roosters and all of the hens to sanctuaries.

But Animal Control still has 31 roosters who need a home, so now it’s looking to Chicagoans and suburbanites who might be in the market for a feathery friend. It’s not even charging an adoption fee for the fowl.

“We really wanted to try and give them a second chance,” said Animal Control spokeswoman Jenny Schlueter.

Keeping chickens and roosters is legal in Chicago, though Animal Control advises would-be adopters to check with their neighbors before taking in a rooster because they do crow loudly and backyard chickens can cause concerns about sanitation.

The roosters can serve as house pets or, if someone has or wants hens, they can be used to protect the flock.

The rescued roosters are currently living in cat cages, where they’re fed and given wine corks covered with peanut butter and seeds for entertainment. But they can’t stay in the cat cages forever, Schlueter said.

Those who do want to adopt one of the birds will have to go through a free application process to ensure the roosters end up in appropriate homes. Would-be adopters can stop by Animal Control noon-6 p.m. daily at 2741 S. Western Ave. to meet the rosters and apply to adopt.

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