CockadoodleMoo.org

Dianne: 

Someone once told me that a turkey is like a dog and a chicken is like a cat. Being a "dog person," I was drawn to the turkeys more then I was the chickens. Although I have become very attached to Ginger, the other chickens still aren't as friendly or affectionate.  When I volunteered at Farm Sanctuary this spring I had a chance to spend more time with the big girls and they were very calming and curious — their barks and prehistoric sounding calls made me smile.

When Mark called home a few weeks ago saying he had talked to a woman who needed to place a turkey and her chicken companion that she had rescued I was very excited.

After many days of hits and misses, this last weekend the turkey arrived — unfortunately the turkey's chicken companion did not. The woman had decided to keep the chicken, but we were very happy to welcome Annabelle the turkey to our farm.

Annabelle's first few days were lonely, she seemed to be looking for her little friend, calling out and searching. It was very sad and we can only hope that when she is done being isolated, she will find a new kinship within our chicken flock.

Annabelle is a biter, she has nipped all of the dogs , myself and has tried to nip the cat. But our dog Sukha is fascinated by the bird, she spent all afternoon today lying next to the isolation pen watching the turkey. And Annabelle has shown she might actually like the dog, at one point they both napped next to each other  in the noontime sun.

Annabelle in the isolation pen on her first day