Pretoria’s favourite chicken ‘talks’ lockdown
Tjortsie became an overnight Internet sensation last year, after he was admitted to the veterinary clinic with a high fever.
Tjortsie, Pretoria’s very own “celebrity” chicken, was doing well under the national lockdown with winter approaching, according to his owner.
“Tjortsie and his ‘wife’ are spoiled and go to sleep at night with a panel heater in their room,” owner Natacha Jacobs told Rekord.
“The heater switches on every two hours for 15 minutes to keep their room temperature just right.”
Tjortsie became an overnight Internet sensation last year, after he was admitted to the veterinary clinic with a high fever.
He has since recovered, but Jacobs still doesn’t know what was wrong with him.
“I still haven’t received a full report yet although I made some enquiries,” she said.
According to Jacobs, Tjortsie has been eating healthy under the lockdown.
“Guess what his favourite food is? Besides McCain corn, it is grapes!” said Jacobs.
READ MORE: Tjortsie se nuwejaarsplanne
Jacobs cut the grapes into small pieces for Tjortsie. He also gets grated raw sweet potato weekly.
“But I keep an eye on his sugar content, he is only allowed grapes once a week, it is a treat.”
Jacobs said Tjortsie followed a relatively normal routine during the lockdown.
Jacobs said her “chicken children” kept her busy during the lockdown.
“Tjortsie’s wife can also understand Afrikaans now, because you know that she is actually an English chicken. But she is almost a real farm woman,” said Jacobs.
Jacobs said Tjortsie was struggling with separation anxiety.
READ MORE: Tjortsjie is die spreekwoordelike haan onder die henne
“When he sits on my lap in the lounge in the afternoons I have to rub his chest until he falls asleep.”
Tjortsie was initially admitted to Onderstepoort on 22 October, after he fell mysteriously ill.
After nearly two weeks in the hospital, he was discharged in November, to recover at home.
Jacobs further said the lockdown has been tough on the Jacobs household.
“We had no income but still had to pay our workers. We were really struggling and I think our animals realised it.”
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