The drama unfolded in Northern California as Zoe Rosenberg, 23, found herself at the center of a sensational poultry caper that ended with handcuffs. Rosenberg, who boldly infiltrated Perdue Farms’ Petaluma Poultry operation disguised as an employee—full costume including fake badge and earpiece—grabbed four chickens in what she claims was a daring rescue mission. Her bold move didn’t sway the Sonoma County jury after a blockbuster seven-week trial, which concluded in October with felony conspiracy, trespassing, and other charges.

On Wednesday, Rosenberg got her sentence: 90 days in jail starting December 10, though she might serve up to two months of that stretch under house arrest, prosecutors revealed. For the next two years, she’ll be on probation and has been banned from every Perdue site in the county.

Police tape off a crime scene, Saturday, July 6, 2024, on the 2600 block of Ridgecrest Drive in Florence, Ky.

Rosenberg, a well-known figure from the Berkeley-based activist outfit Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), remains undaunted. “I refuse to apologize for rescuing abused birds seeking medical help,” she declared after her conviction, referring to the four fowls—Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea—who have since found refuge in a sanctuary.

Petaluma Poultry—part of Perdue Farms, the powerhouse behind supermarket chicken racks—wasn’t impressed, labeling DxE as an extremist group plotting to sabotage the animal farming sector, while insisting their birds are treated just fine.

Rosenberg didn’t keep her undercover exploits secret; she splashed a video of the feathered getaway all over social media. And this isn’t DxE’s first brush with the law in Sonoma County: the group’s co-founder was convicted two years ago after uproarious protests at Petaluma factory farms.

The chicken saga continues, as activists and Big Poultry remain locked in a feud that’s ruffling plenty of feathers.

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