The scientists gather the information. They write papers about what they have learned and publish them. Other people can read about their research and learn how to improve the food they grow or the medicine they make or give. Scientists and doctors often learn about the effect of certain medicines on humans by looking at how the medicines affect animals.
Penny was a research animal in a study on diet. Alicia saw her on the last day of the study. Now that the research was done, the scientists would no longer need her.
Did You Know?
There are more chickens—20 billion—than any other birds on Earth. They lay a trillion eggs a year.
Alicia looked at the young chicken. Penny was a beautiful hen! Instead of smooth feathers like most birds, hers were soft and fluffy. The feathers on her head and legs looked like a puffy hat and pants. Alicia wanted to give the hen a new home. “May I have her?” she asked the researchers.
And that’s how Alicia ended up bringing Penny to the house she shares with her parents, three sisters, five dogs, two cats, and four parrots. Everyone in Alicia’s family is an animal lover!
At first, Alicia didn’t know how to care for Penny. Parrots and chickens are both birds, but they require different care.
Silkies are unique chickens, with soft, silky feathers. They have black bones and black skin. They don’t look very much like the jungle fowl that all chickens are descended from. One of their distant ancestors is the Tyrannosaurus rex! Silkies have some special traits. They have five toes instead of the usual four, and they have blue earlobes. They can’t fly. Silkies like to brood, or sit on their eggs. They will even hatch the eggs of other birds.
Penny was also not a regular chicken. She was a fancy, gentle type called a silkie.
Alicia’s boss, Dr. Mike Miller, was very helpful. He’s a veterinarian. He told Alicia that chickens need special food and plenty of time outdoors. Alicia made Penny an outdoor pen so that she could scratch at the ground and search for bugs and seeds to eat.
But because Penny is very friendly, Alicia also made her an indoor pen. Chickens are flock animals and like to be with other chickens. With an indoor pen, Penny could be around the other pets and people in the house.
Penny quickly settled into her new home. Except that she didn’t want to stay in her pen! She wanted to explore the house. But a chicken poops a lot, and Alicia didn’t want to be cleaning up all the time. So, she tried putting a little diaper on Penny. It worked! Penny had her freedom, and Alicia didn’t have a mess. What a good idea!
Did You Know?
Chickens make many different sounds.
A squawk might show fear, a purr contentment.
A rooster’s crow means “This is my territory.” Hens often say bawk when they lay an egg.
Now Penny could follow Alicia everywhere. She even learned to come when she was called. Alicia soon discovered that Penny loved to cuddle, too, unlike her parrots. Penny especially enjoyed sitting in Alicia’s lap.
To show her pleasure, she would make a soft sound, like the purr of a kitten. But when Alicia went to work, Penny was lonely. She missed her favorite human.
So, Alicia had another good idea: She would bring Penny to work. Penny and her boss thought it was a good idea, too.
Penny felt so comfortable at work that she soon started laying eggs at the hospital! Like Penny, these eggs are unique. Most chicken eggs are brown or white. Penny’s are small and pink.
Everyone loved Penny! Penny received lots of cuddling and attention. She helped people learn more about silkie chickens. Many had never seen one before. “What’s that?” kids would ask, pointing at the fluffy white hen. Sometimes they thought Penny was a kitten or a fancy dog!
When Penny first met Roo, he was in bad shape. She sat on top of him to warm him up. Soon, they both fell asleep peacefully. (photo credit 1.3)
One cold February night, Penny was at the hospital when a man rushed up with a small bundle. What was inside? A tiny puppy! The man had found the puppy in a ditch at a nearby park. He had scooped up the shivering creature and hurried to the hospital. The man had hoped the staff there could help. They always took good care of his pets. The hospital staff was amazed. The puppy was so little! He was only six weeks old and weighed just two pounds (907 g). That’s about the weight of a quart of milk.
Did You Know?
Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dogs. Adults can weigh about as much as a small bag of sugar.
He was missing the lower part of his front legs, several teeth, and a toenail. This pup would never be able to walk, run, or jump like other dogs. This dog could move from one place to another but only by dragging himself or hopping on his back legs. The puppy’s way of moving helped inspire his name. He hopped like a kangaroo, so Alicia named him Roo.
Roo’s past was something of a mystery. Alicia thinks that Roo was tossed in the ditch by a dog breeder. The breeder had probably wanted to sell this puppy for a lot of money. When he realized that Roo had so many problems, he decided to get rid of the pup. Who would want such a dog? Alicia would! And Penny, too.
When Roo was brought to the hospital, the hen was resting in her soft, pink bed at the front desk. Alicia tucked Roo in beside her. The warmth of Penny’s body would help warm and comfort the cold puppy.
Roo took one look at the big fluffy bird and pounced! The puppy began tumbling around. He chewed on Penny’s feet and feathers. He wasn’t hurting Penny, he just wanted to play!
“Penny wasn’t sure what to think,” said Alicia. “But when Roo settled down for a nap, Penny climbed on top of him, as if he were an egg. She warmed him up, and then they both slept.”
They’ve been best friends ever since. They eat together and share water bowls. When it’s time to go to the hospital, they travel in the same carrier. Sometimes they squabble like human brothers and sisters. They try to steal food from one another. Penny will steal one of Roo’s dog treats, even though she can’t eat it; and Roo will chase her.
Run, Penny!
Go, Roo!
What a game! The two play until they get tired, and then it’s nap time. When they snuggle, Penny purrs, just as she does on Alicia’s lap. Sometimes Penny even lays her eggs in Roo’s dog bed. This is a way that Penny shows how much she trusts Roo.
Did You Know?
The Chihuahua has one of the longest life spans of any dog. Most live 10 to 18 years. But many Chihuahuas live to be more than 20 years old.
Roo shares his toys with Penny, but his favorite plaything is still Penny’s toes and fluffy feathers.
“Their friendship seems to be very unusual,” said Alicia. Chickens are prey animals and dogs are predators. This means that chickens will try to avoid dogs. Dogs may chase or try to eat them.
Instead, these two friends