It’s been awhile that we have heard how Jem, Robin Song’s beloved hen, is fairing. We have an update on Jem’s remarkable progress in this piece plus many great pictures. The first 3 parts on Jem’s story were aired in 2019 under the title A Very Brave Bird.
Jem’s Story Continues
February 11th marked the anniversary of the day the Ameraucana hen I named “Jem” came into my life in 2019. I rescued her after she had lost both her feet to frostbite and subsequent infection, and the person caretaking the flock wanted to re-home her.
I wrote a 3-part story for KTNA, chronicling our first few months together. This is an update as my life with this amazing hen continues to unfold.
Originally, I didn’t plan on keeping Jem, as I already had a House Hen I had raised from a month-old chick. “Jorie” had lived with me and my two Herding dogs for almost a year when I rescued Jem. Jorie is of a breed called “Jungle Fowl”, which still live wild in Southeast Asia. They are quite feisty and prefer to be solitary or part of a small family flock. I knew Jorie would not accept Jem coming into her territory, and-sure enough- Jorie wanted to attack Jem the first moment they met. And that desire has not diminished three years later. Which means keeping them constantly separated- not easy in a small cabin with curtains for doors and a loft for a second story.
I couldn’t think of anyone who could devote the time needed for Jem’s daily care. She had to have close supervision which meant living indoors. I decided to advertise anyway, to see what response might happen. But ‘fate’ stepped in and decided for me.
As Spring Breakup approached, the plow scraped the snow from the cul-de-sac. When the exposed dirt was dry enough, on March 31st I took Jem out and placed her on the ground so she could peck and scratch. It was her first experience walking on dirt and gravel in her booties.
My friend CW had come up from Willow and we stood talking by his truck. After a few minutes I glanced at Jem to check on her. To my stunned amazement I saw her walking across the cul-de-sac towards me. Up to that point, the farthest she had walked was about six feet across the porch. Now I watched as she came straight towards me, looking right at me. I stayed where I was, riveted by the sight of her walking in her booties, step by determined step. She stopped only once, then raised her wings, starting again, leaning forward, flapping her beautiful wings to aid her momentum. I talked to her, encouraging her. She covered the last few yards quickly, then stopped about three feet from where I was kneeling, arms outstretched. I leaned towards Jem, and Lyra and Darby- my Australian and English Shepherds- circled around behind her as I picked Jem up, gathering her into my arms, kissing the soft dark grey feathers on top of her head. In that moment, she had chosen me and won my heart. Jem had walked to me voluntarily, wanting to be with me. Later, after she was back in the cabin on her blanket by her food and water, I went back and paced off the distance; Jem had walked 31 feet. I would never forget the determination I saw in her eyes as she came to me, and I would devote my life to giving her the best care I possibly could.
Having never cared for a footless hen before, figuring out how to fashion Jem’s “footgear” was-and is-an ongoing challenge. The first year and 1/2 I used cotton balls which I flattened and molded inside infant socks which became Jem’s booties. I cut breathable cotton strips from material used inside animal casts to wrap her stumps. Our local Vet- Jennifer Pironis- helped with Jem’s care, suggesting the best salve to use to strengthen the tender skin on the end of Jem’s stumps, which had to now take Jem’s full weight. I made a wooden crate with an open top and a flexible mesh material bottom as her roosting box, lined with soft shredded recycled paper bedding. It sits atop the kitchen cupboard- the highest spot in the cabin, as hens like to roost up high.
Pressure point calluses kept forming on the end of the stumps. I would affix corn rings until the the callus scabs came off and the new skin grew in firm again. Finally, I experimented with using foam rubber instead of the cotton balls. That worked much better and Jem had less problems with overheating. The foam rubber let the air circulate better. I remove the booties and wraps when she goes to roost, as she lays on her legs all night. I mounted a small fan near her box to blow air lightly during the Summer months so she doesn’t overheat while sleeping.
I have worked on Jem’s bootie designs many times. I was hoping to affix a pseudo ‘hallux toe’- the rear toe that most birds have- to give Jem greater stability. But after many attempts, I could not find a way to affix one that would stay on while she walked, laid down, got up, and- most importantly- took her frequent dust baths. Scratching in the dirt is always the big test for all my bootie designs. And the hallux toe could not stay on, no matter how I modified it. But she has learned how to balance without it.
The current design, which I hit upon several months ago, is a foam rubber ball fitted around the end of the stumps, after each one is wrapped with soft cotton cast material. Then the bootie is fitted over the foam ball, with a firm support pad on the bottom to take Jem’s weight. Foam pads are on the sides as cushions, and a thinner pad across the top on which she can lay comfortably. A thick toe pad in the front takes the impact of each step. Both the foam ball and the bootie are secured to each leg with strips of self-adhesive Vet Wrap. I cut the strips every night after Jem goes to roost, to be ready for the next morning’s application..
Jorie has learned to tolerate Jem. They still have to be kept separated. So i divide my time between the two lady hens. I can’t convince Jorie to make friends with Jem, which would certainly make our lives easier.
Despite Jorie’s displeasure, Jem is a healthy, happy hen. She is patient with my daily application of her “footgear”. She is amazingly affectionate.
In part two of our on-going story, I will address the efforts I have made to achieve my goal of having 3D prosthesis made for Jem, and the emergency surgery she underwent during our first Summer together.
Each day is a gift, with Jem. Her love for me and for life shines in her eyes and inspires me to give her my very best, every way I can.
