An animal sanctuary and several humane societies have saved about 700 aging chickens from certain death.

The new owner of an old egg farm reported not knowing what to do with the hens he unknowingly purchased with the property.

Rescuers now hope to find a good home for the birds, which are past their egg-laying prime.

Unaccustomed to the spacious area of the animal sanctuary, many of the chickens still sleep on top of each other.

Kim Sturla, director of rescue group The Animal Place says, "These birds were born in incubators and put in cages about double the size floor space of a record album."