Wholesome True-Life
My bird had a pretty rough start to life, but she’s a big fighter...
Gabrielle Stubbert, 59
Finishing off my chores in the chicken coop, the sun was just about to set.
Around my feet, a few chickens clucked about the farmyard – it was a lovely scene.
What a gorgeous day, I thought, watching the birds mooch about.
Me and my husband Peter had opened the Tamerlaine Sanctuary in New Jersey 12 years earlier, when our Persian cat Tamerlaine sadly became very sick.
But while the vet had declared there was no hope for our puss, a homeopath and herbalist had been able to treat her, giving her the strength to live for another year.
This event sparked a passion for us – to help vulnerable rescue animals.
Starting off, we had a tiny farm of just two roosters.
But 12 years on, 240 animals had come to our farm for refuge and love.
We’d rescued 150 chickens from the meat industry, as well as donkeys, geese, pigs, goats and ducks.
But in 2022, we had another feathery arrival.
‘We saved her with just hours to go,’ a volunteer explained as I scooped up the two-month-old chick for a cuddle.
The little bird had suffered a slipped tendon, and I knew few people bothered to operate on this as it was so common in chicken.
Having already spent two weeks in a foster home, this fluffy fighter had finally found her forever home with me and Peter.
Placing the chick down, her bad leg crooked to the side – it stuck out like a sore thumb.
Despite this, she quickly tried to hobble forward, clearly determined.
Now Marilyn rules the roost!
‘Wonky walk or not, she’s a determined little thing, isn’t she?’ I said, as the chick introduced herself to the other chickens.
Naming her Marilyn, she was the most amazing bird despite her crooked limbs.
Trying to run about with the other chickens, Marilyn was still as independent and jolly as the others.
‘She’s got quite a zest for life,’ Peter commented, as she hopped and wobbled along.
Taking Marilyn to the vet, they couldn’t actually find anything wrong with her.
We just had to hope her leg would improve with time.
But unfortunately, Marylin’s leg seemed to be getting worse over the next two months.
And I was getting worried. ‘I’m taking her to the vet again,’ I told the team. ‘She has to be in a lot of pain.’
Luckily, this time was different to the last.
After a more thorough investigation, our wonderful vet found the problem.
‘Marilyn has a broken leg that’s healed badly,’ he said. ‘I’m going to have to re-break it so we can set it correctly.’
‘Anything to give her the best quality of life,��
