with Jackie Eddison, Noddy Bay
The chicken who fell in love with a dog
Dog Storm with chicken CJ
Text: Bernadette Calonego
All photos Jackie Eddison
Jackie, why on earth do you keep a chicken in your house?
Because we saved its life. This chick was born on December 14. This is unheard of. We never ever had a chick that hatched in winter time.
So why did it happen with this one?
No idea. It is really strange. But it would have died if we had left it in the stable. The chick was still in the shell. Only the beak came through. It was too early to hedge.
What did you do to rescue it?
We took the egg into our house and put a heating pad underneath the egg and a towel on top to keep it warm. And then we just picked away the shell at night. And then it was out of the shell.
Grandson Shayden with chicken CJ
You could not take it under your feathers, obviously!
No, but my mom took it into her bed to keep it warm. We called the chick CJ for Christmas Joy. It was a beautiful experience! CJ was a Christmas gift.
How is doing CJ today?
She is doing really good. She is about 3 and half months old now. CJ is used to us and the cats and the dog.
How did Storm, your dog, react to the chicklet?
It did not bother him at all. All he did was sniffing it. We told him: “You can`t touch” and he didn`t. She is now very attached to the dog. Where Storm lies, she is up with him.
But the cats must have chased the chick?
No, the chicken chases the cats and dogs! My cat Muffy doesn`t bother her, but Passion, a Persian cat, doesn`t like the chicken. CJ goes after Passion but they only face each other. Nothing happens.
Does the chicken not want to join the other chicken?
CJ is sometimes in the stable with the other chickens. But she never eats there. She comes in to eat. CJ eats cat food. The cats don`t mind.
The chicken does not eat dog food?
No, because Storm gets mad when she eats his food. He will growl but he doesn`t touch her. CJ loves Storm, She picks his fur out.
Does the chicken have the run of the house?
Well, sometimes we put her into a cage. At night, we cover the cage with a blanket and she is quiet until 8 o`clock in the morning.
Will the chicken stay with you forever in the house?
No, when spring comes, she will go out-side with the other chickens. But we will wait until she is ready.
(Jackie Eddison with grandson Shayden)
