Friday 20th November and the big day has arrived. The plan was to meet Linda, Robert and Freebie for the very first time at their local veterinary surgery. I had originally telephoned Linda because I had space for four hens and was keen to give a happy retirement to some ex battery girls.

Linda told me about Freebie and I knew at once that I wanted to give her a happy home with us. The more I heard about her, the more I fell in love and was convinced that she was destined to live with me.

How wrong the farmer was to think that Freebie was not worth anything. Not in his terms I suppose but in mine she is a very special little bird. She's intelligent and inquisitive and thanks to the amazing Linda and Robert and their vet, she now has a second chance at life.

Freebie has taken up residence in my conservatory that she has investigated with interest. On the first night with me she made her way back to her cage and snuggled down in the hay without any help from me. I would say that she can see out of her right eye but that her vision is restricted because of her swollen cheek. Her left eye is still shut but there are signs that there is the tiniest crack appearing. Please keep fingers crossed!

Sadly, my little Petal whom I thought would be a good friend for Freebie took great exception to the new arrival and started to fight with her. Petal has now been integrated with the hens that live in my garden and Freebie has the conservatory to herself! I am now looking out for another poor little waif to keep Freebie company.

As the weather was quite mild on Saturday (21st November '09) I carried Freebie to the garden and stood her gently on the grass. I watched her very carefully , especially as I have a cockerel called Mr. Rochester who lives in the garden. He immediately took a fancy to Freebie and walked round, displaying his best wing to her. Freebie was not at all impressed and gave him short shrift!

After she had taken a drink from the garden tap and stood amongst the autumn leaves for a while, I thought that perhaps she had had enough of an adventure for her second day with me, so I carried her back to the conservatory. She is now snuggled in her hay fast asleep...