By Gaya Goldberg
Sophia arrived at me in a fatal, critical condition. She suffered from Rickets – a common disease among battery caged chickens.
The long imprisonment in the cage, the massive egg laying which is forced upon them and lack of vitamin D – make their bones so soft that chickens lose their movement ability.
Sophia couldn’t manage to walk and even had a hard time stabilizing herself when attempting to sit.
Her left foot was completely limp and lacked vitality. Her comb was pale and sloping.
I still remember the diagnosis of one villager who stated with certainty – “That’s it, she’s finished” – but I didn’t give up, and neither did Sophia.
After a month of intense treatment which included rich nutrition, sun bathing, physiotherapy and of course – the critical component: lots of love. Sophia, the little fighter began to fidget and limp.
After a few months, while Sophia was getting better and her walking had improved, a foot infection was discovered. The antibiotic treatment failed and there was only one option – a thumb removal surgery.
Sophia, the brave fighter, successfully passed this procedure as well.
She’s still struggling to move freely, but it seems that it doesn’t bother nor hinder her much. In spite of her handicap she became a strong, dominant, chatty and happy chicken.
