Unusual animal companions

[David Tallan]

I've heard of people walking with donkeys, and I've heard of people walking with dogs. But this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone undertaking a Camino with... a chicken?!


Has anyone come across any other unusual animal companions?

 

[Former member 104756]

My husband saw a peregrina walking with a parrot on her shoulder on the Frances in 2014. I don’t have a photo.

 

[trecile]

There was a pilgrim who carried their cat on a tray in front of them. I didn't get to see him, but others that I walked with did. Unfortunately, no photos.

 

[Kiwi-family]

We met a bloke with a donkey which was common enough - what set him apart was the cat skin complete with head draped over the animal

 

[grayland]

I have also seen a pilgrim with a cat...sometimes it was walking and often carried in a front carrier pack.
Did not see her in an albergue so no sure how that was handled.

 

[Kathy F.]

On my first Camino, I walked for a bit with a peregrina who brought her donkey. Just after Zubiri, the donkey came to its senses and decided it didn’t want to walk any more. She was able to coax the donkey to the nearest town, where she rented a horse trailer and they went home.
*sigh*
Later on that same Camino, I saw a pilgrim who was walking with a chicken in his pack.
Yes, it was alive.
It had a little string on its leg so it could get out and walk, yet not wander off when it was time to hit the road again.
Perhaps that’s why the chicken crossed the road?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have heard that chickens can actually make good pets and wondered if it is true. The photos show that it is definitely possible.
I have seen a man with his cat on the Camino Frances.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Unfortunately my photo does not really show the cat so well...

 

[dbier]

::::chuckle:::: Since I'm only allergic to cats and rabbits, Buen Camino to the chicken.

 

[good_old_shoes]

My little catigrino.



And chickens are wonderful pets, by the way.

 

[good_old_shoes]

I've heard of people walking with donkeys, and I've heard of people walking with dogs. But this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone undertaking a Camino with... a chicken?!
View attachment 158688

Has anyone come across any other unusual animal companions?

While I don't really think it is a good idea to take a single chicken in a cage on a camino (they love the company of other chickens and prefer to walk around most of the day) that chicken was probably a very good embassador for the general chicken population of the world. It is easier for us humans to connect to individuals. So if someone realized that chickens are lovely and we should treat them well by meeting the pilgrim chicken, then that's good.

Chickens are much smarter than most people think, very social, and they are great pets.

Just an anecdote: When my oldest hen died at the age of 8 years, all her friends went to her and sat with her for hours to say goodby. Did the same when she was sick before. Her best friend sat with her for hours until the medication worked and she got better.
I often heard of chickens killing the weaker ones and eating each other ect.- but if they live in a functioning family and not in stressful groups of too many individuals in too little space, they're friendly and social to each other in my experience.

My hens also all know their names and come running to me when I call them. Their character is similar to a cat.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

My little catigrino.

View attachment 158771

And chickens are wonderful pets, by the way.

I love your kittengrino, but probably is a cat by now.

 

[good_old_shoes]

I love your kittengrino, but probably is a cat by now.

He is a fully grown cat now and the king of our house!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

My hens also all know their names and come running to me when I call them

Your whole post provides such interesting and fascinating information about chickens, and you have first hand information.

 

[KayfromUK]

A guy called Guirec Soudee sailed around the world with a chicken, Monique
and wrote a book about their adventure.

 

[grayland]

I walked with a pilgrim named Monique once....but no book.

 

[HappyValerie]

I've heard of people walking with donkeys, and I've heard of people walking with dogs. But this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone undertaking a Camino with... a chicken?!
View attachment 158688

Has anyone come across any other unusual animal companions?

Be careful walking through Santo Domingo de la Calzada! Hopefully they won't think you've pinched one from the Cathedral!!