Naughty Dog Chronicles: Weekly Farm Update

Well, I am happy to say that Hospital Chicken looks like she will survive! If you missed it follow this link to the previous Naughty Dog Weekly Chronicles for an update on the farm drama! I kept her in a soft-sided dog kennel with a little nesting box, food, and water until she was completely out of the woods. Her punctures and torn skin are healing nicely, and once she started getting feisty again, I knew it was time to let her back out. She had to reestablish her pecking order, but since she was already near the top, she worked it out quickly. 😅

This is Hospital Ricky, a few misplaced feathers but overall she is recovering great!

I decided to name her Hospital Ricky, after a client from my other business.

Along with the farm, I run All Around Adventures, a pet care company with six employees. We walk dogs, watch cats, do vacation sitting, and help with anything else clients might need for their pets or homes. This summer, I got one of the most unusual calls I’ve ever had: a woman who was distraught about her brother-in-law.

He had suffered a brain aneurysm and undergone surgery, and he was now in critical care, learning again how to walk, talk, and eat. But he had a service dog — his whole life and independence — who hadn’t yet been brought to the hospital. They believed that if his dog could be with him, his recovery would be stronger.

The problem? The family lived across the country. They needed someone to take the dog out three times a day at the hospital. The nurses couldn’t do it, and without help, the dog couldn’t stay with him. I hesitated — it was nothing like my usual work — but I knew I could help. So, every day, I went to care for “Hospital Rick.”

Rick made an incredible recovery. He went from being unable to speak or walk to living independently again. He was so grateful for the bond he was able to keep with his service dog during that time, and I was grateful I got to play a small role in it.

So when my chicken survived what looked impossible, naming her Hospital Ricky felt right. She was limping, torn up, and I honestly didn’t think she’d make it. But, against all odds, she’s still here — feisty, thriving, and reminding me that resilience comes in all shapes and sizes, human or chicken.

The Willow tree and bench are set up in the future chicken gazing area for the future coop!

Looking ahead, we’re in the middle of building a new coop. Most of the fencing is up, but the coop itself is still in the planning stages. Hopefully before winter, the flock will be moved into a safer, more secure home. We’re also still navigating the challenges with the neighbors and their dogs — so stay tuned for more on that next week!

Do you have any favorite coop ideas or easy DIY designs? I’d love to hear them — leave a comment or send me an email!