Marilla

Beautiful Marilla, she really was such a beautiful chicken. She was big and stood over everyone, yet she was so gentle and timid. I named her “Marilla” after the character in, “Anne of Green Gables” as she seemed like an old soul who was very practical and got things done without a fuss, and also because she was a bigger boned lady!

I picked up 12 ex battery hens from Edgar’s Mission in July 2012. They had been rescued by Edgar’s Mission when a farmer decided he wanted out of egg farming and asked them to take all the hens, which they did. Marilla was one of those girls.

Marilla spent a very happy 2 years at Lefty’s Place before she succumbed to a reproductive tumour. If commercial egg layers don’t die of egg yolk peritonitis, it is usually some other issue of the reproductive tract that kills them. These poor girls are destined to such short lives because of their selectively bred bodies, just so humans can eat eggs.

I will never forget her stature and her beautiful face. She used to grab grapes and run for her life with them and find a place to hide so she could eat them all alone and savour the moment.

Please don’t use my images without permission. All images are Copyright Tamara Kenneally