Read Peggy's Story (In Memoriam)
Peggy was the most famous and well loved chicken in the history of The Gentle Barn. She was born with only one usable leg and was almost euthanized by her people. But their vet believed she could have a good life hopping with one leg, so he called us and asked us to take her. For the first three years Peggy lived in the barnyard and was adopted by one of our turkeys, Nalla. Peggy would hide behind her when feeling scared of the other birds, and sleep under her wings at night. Peggy would hop around enjoying her barnyard life. When Nalla passed away and Peggy needed a softer environment, we brought Peggy to live with us in the house. She slept on a dog bed, sat in our laps to watch movies, drove in the car with us, went to the park with the dogs, and shared every snack and meal with us. Her favorites were granola cereal with almond milk, oatmeal, tofu, peanuts, fruit smoothies, grapes, blueberries, mangos, and banana ice cream. Peggy barked with the dogs, made specific sounds welcoming us home, and other sounds for strangers. She loved to be sung to sleep, and would sing my morning songs with me. And she would face time with me each time I went out of town, looking at the screen and chatting away with me. Peggy was one of the most extraordinary beings we’ve ever met and she not only inspired people with physical challenges of their own, but showed millions the intelligence and personalities of chickens.