Friday, April 29, 2011

For the love of a chicken

I know we shouldn't have favourites.  But I can't help it.  Astrid is the most courageous amazing affectionate little chook you are likely to find anywhere.  She defends her flock fiercely against enemies like crows and owls (yes, owls!) and is always first to greet me as soon as she hears the car coming up the drive or the bolt on the back door being slid open.


This week she hasn't been so well.

I saw a few vets until I was happy with a vet that knew something about chickens.  Calling the vet was encouraging. The vet asked for my surname, then the name of my chicken.  He didn't ask for my name and just as he was about to hang up the phone, I asked how he knew I'd named my chicken.  He replied that no one would spend money on a vet for a chicken they hadn't at least named...


Tonight the vet has decided to keep her in hospital - I can only afford one night, not the week he recommended...just this one visit and one night stay has already set me back $220, I'm not telling Mr Bok! and those boots I was lusting after will just have to wait until next Winter.

We met an abandoned kitten at the vet.  SO want to take him home.  Maybe we will if he doesn't find a home...he's only 6 weeks old.


As soon as the vet saw us he wrapped Astrid in a blanket.  I just know she's in good hands...


The vet says she has an abscess that is jut one of those things, it's making breathing difficult and making her eye swell so that it can't open properly...he said she has 40% chance of surviving, it is silly to be so attached to a chicken so people say, I get lots of chicken soup comments from workmates but there you have it.  She's a loved family member.

I hope she'll be ok.
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13 comments:

  1. From Beyond My Kitchen WindowApril 29, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    I hope she gets well too. I hate to see any family pet sick.

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  2. greenfumbApril 29, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    I have my fingers crossed for you, at least you have found a good vet.

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  3. A faded paletteApril 30, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    I'm so sorry to hear that your chicken is not well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her.

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  4. Desperate GardenerApril 30, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    Thinking of your sweet Astrid. Hope she gets well soon!

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  5. LynApril 30, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    Oh Mrs Bok I do hope Astrid pulls through and you get to take her home (and the kitten!)
    love
    Lyn
    xxx

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  6. PhoebeApril 30, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    Oh NO! Poor thing. I hope she pulls through!!
    Good luck little Astrid!
    I hate it when people make food jokes about pet chickens. They wouldn't say it about a dog or a cat...
    I didn't realise how attached I was to my girls until I lost one for most of the day, so I can completely understand.
    I hope you are alright Mrs Bok!

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  7. The Sage ButterflyApril 30, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    I hope Astrid feels better soon. I understand your attachment to her. I easily become attached to animals...it is a gift and a curse. Best wishes...

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  8. Aerie-elApril 30, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    One of my friends has chickens and calls them 'her girls', and I really enjoy hearing all the stories about them and their antics. They really have their own unique personalities. So no, it's not silly at all that the creatures, be they chickens, cats, dogs, guinea pigs or what have you, in our home become part of the family.
    I hope your sweet little Astrid pulls through!!

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  9. annApril 30, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    I do hope that Astrid recovers

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  10. celiaApril 30, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    I so hope she's ok too. I know we're all so attached to our chooks, it's hard to cope when they're sick. Thankfully we have a friend who is a vet, and I've nearly wept at his feet in gratitude when he's come over to check on the girls when someone's off colour.

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  11. cityhippyfarmgirlApril 30, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    I think that's lovely that you found a vet for your chicken. She sounds like is definitely in good hands and I really hope that abscess just disolves and she can go about her chooky business.

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  12. littlekarstarApril 30, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Thank you - you are all so wonderful and so supportive and you aren't making fun of me because you all 'get' it! Mr Bok was most unimpressed that I wanted to have the fire on for Astrid whilst we were out today. We came home to find her fast asleep in her cat carrier in front of the fire. Poor chicken has a runny nose too and can't wipe it herself :(

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  13. JanMay 1, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    I don't have chickens but can understand how you can be attached to one; afterall, she has become your pet and you are concerned for her. She has brought you joy and it's normal to feel protective of her and worry about her being sick. I hope she gets better soon and that the trip to the Vets was helpful. My daughter had a pet rat that she took to the Vets for medicine - it died later. But, it's understandable to me how you can become attached to any animal.

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