I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a chicken just standing on the shoulder of the interstate. It looked like she was just resting. I discovered that wasn't actually the case when I went back to investigate.

This poor bird was injured. A puddle of blood was on the pavement in front of her and I could see feathers missing from her neck. It looked like she had just fallen from a chicken truck. Probably a truck similar to the ones I loaded when I was a kid trying to earn extra cash.

I had no idea what to do for her but I knew she wouldn't make it if she stayed on the side of the road. So I put her in the dog crate that is always in the back of my vehicle. I really didn't think she was going to make it. I contacted a few friends to see what options there were for this bird. Lori Anderson is the only state and federally licensed wildlife rescue expert in Texarkana. She is also the owner and operator of Toby’s Tales Rescue.

Lori  agreed to take the chicken.

So I delivered the chicken, who I named Henrietta, to Lori later that night. She gave me an update the next morning and it was a good progress report.

Mimi Campbell, Townsquare Media
Mimi Campbell, Townsquare Media
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"She made it through the night," Lori said. "She's standing. I rocked and held her until midnight and she finally relaxed. I used lavender aromatherapy on her and I do believe it helped❤️. Today's challenge will be to see if she can drink as we want to keep her hydrated."

As of Thursday, March 23, Lori told our Managing Editor that she was "having to tube feed the chicken "as its face is so swollen as was the inside her mouth so she can't eat. But she's still hanging in there. She loves hugs. She is a fighter for sure. She still looks rough but is actually better.”

Lori relies solely on donations for all of her wildlife rescues. If you would like to help with expenses for the rescue of Henrietta, and other rescued wildlife, please call Rankin Veterinary Clinic at 903-838-5000 and make a donation to Toby's Tales Rescue, which is Lori's wildlife rescue's account. Thank you so much.

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