January 11th got my little friend home safely, then had to think fast given I have 4cats and 1 little dog. So grabbed my cat cage and lined it with a hand towel, put some Dacron in it to keep the wee guy warm. As it was getting dark decided to cover it and with a towel and put it in the spare room for the night. Given it is the middle of summer and we were having some pretty high temperature decided it didn’t need a heat lamp and prayed it would survive the night. Well got up every 2 hours in the night and found a happy wee bird safe and warm snuggled under the Dacron.
Ok what to feed a baby chicken????? Went online found a recipe for oatmeal, honey yogurt, grated apples and boiled egg yoke…checked fridge pantry etc found I had all the ingredients so whipped up a batch. Ok started feeding mixture on a straw and it ate it eagerly, yeah!!!! Read that they needed lots of water but to be careful as they often get water in their lunges, so just dripped a few drops on its wee beak and it soon got the idea. Within a week it was drinking it out of a jam jar lid on it’s own. Brought some bird seeds and borrowed some chicken crumbles, now it was on its way. The second day after we got it I took it around to show my little 2year old grandson Tamihana and asked him what we should call it, and the first think he says is “names Kevin” hahaha no surprises there. So Kevin it is, Tamihana just loved it would sit carefully on the couch and hold it in his hands.
Was so glad I was till on holiday as taking care of a small chicken can really take it out of you, always afraid I might do something wrong and it wouldn’t make it. Every morning when I would uncover it’s cage would breath a sigh of relief to find it still alive and chirping.
Day 4 by now Kevin has patterned himself to me and thinks I am it’s mum, great all I need a little feathered friend. 4 more days and I will be back at work in my office, bad enough I take my feisty little Jack Russel Bison cross Pixi to work every day now I have to explain to the boss I have another dependant in the work place, (good think he’s an animal lover, and a very kind boss).
Kevin seems to be getting around on his injured leg even if it is a bit twisted so decided to take him back and visit his mother and siblings. Found her in the car park around some bushes so let Kevin go to join his siblings, they are seemed to be just fine until the mother disappears into the bush and the others all follow leaving Kevin alone, but this stage I had removed myself to the other side of the car park to observe. Kevin looks around spots me and come hopping a flying to towards me, bless his little heart.
More tomorrow