Plucky rescue chicken learns to walk again with special wheelchair
"I believe everything deserves a second chance at life," said Darcy Smith.
— -- Roo is an unlikely rescue pet, but thanks to the help of his adoptive family, the plucky chicken is finally starting to feel like himself again.
"I believe everything deserves a second chance at life," said Darcy Smith, who cares for a variety of rescue animals on her ranch in Vacaville, California.
A few weeks ago, Smith said Roo was unable to walk or stand on his own after being injured during a fight with a rooster.
A specially-built therapy wheelchair allows Roo to sit up straight, relearn to walk, and eat again.
"He's improving quite quickly," Smith said. "I saw the chicken therapy wheelchair and knew it would help him."
The wheelchair was ordered from a sanctuary farm in Australia, and the Smiths said they received the shipment within a few days.
Smith said she received an anonymous donation for expedited shipping for the wheelchair from one the people that follow her Facebook page, Funky Chicken, where she posts photos of the birds she has rescued.
"It was really touching," Smith said of the donation.
It isn't just the wheelchair that has allowed Roo to begin recovering quickly.
Smith said her 12-year-old daughter has become Roo's physical therapist, helping him use his chair and regain his balance.
"She first will take his legs and start the motion then slowly move his chair. Then he moves his feet forward and is building his strength," Smith explained.
The family moved to a new property where they were able to start rescuing more animals, and within the last year, they've taken in 30 chickens, Smith said.
"He's a family pet," said Smith. "We love all the chickens. They're fun and they all have different personalities."
Smith said she plans to keep her Facebook page updated with the progress that Roo is making in his journey to being able to walk independently again.
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