When I was volunteering in Gunja during the floods and helping rescued cats and dogs, at one moment, among a bunch of barking quadrupeds, a cage appeared with a parrot and two chickens. Unknown gentlemen brought them out of one of the flooded houses. On the field, people were grabbing hens and stuffing them into their backpacks as if they were potatoes. These two little guys didn't yet have that “value” to be stolen and used. But nevertheless, fearing where and how they could end up, I immediately suggested to adopt them. He agreed on letting me have the chickens, but under condition that the parrot stays with him because he wants to give it to his daughter as a gift. Although I was happy for the chickens, I couldn't stop thinking about the parrot who will be rocking on a swing like a glued plastic toy, looking through the window at a cheerful flight of sparrows, pigeons and all the other types of birds who are, unlike him, free. I will never forget him.

After two days of careful reflection, we gave neutral names to the two chickens since we didn't know whether they were boys or girls. Name Saša reminded us of a someone with yellow hair, and Vanja to the opposite of that, so we called them like that. After a week of tweeting, jumping, rummaging and pooping in the most beautiful office in the centre of Zagreb, Saša and Vanja arrived to the place I was born in. Nature, greenery, sky, sun, peace, night and stars are privilege for most of the chickens… but since then, not for Saša and Vanja.

I cannot say that my parents were the happiest when I proposed the idea to them, after all, it is a responsibility, but the very next day they were already coming up with nicknames: Fluffy, Blacky, Chubby and other names with which I am not pleased, but let them have it. 

A few years ago, we used their current house for keeping chickens, too. We had them because of their eggs and their meat. For years, right next to their house, there was an old, always red stump whose purpose was to be a support for scared walleye eyes and gentle necks. All kinds of lives passed through here, but none of them was happy.

As we grow up, whether we are 10 or 60 years old, changes happen. Chickens suddenly became to us persons with their wishes and needs. We made such a small change for us, but a huge for chickens. And for Saša and Vanja, of course. 

Today, as soon as we come near their house, Saša starts pecking and scratching with her leg the glass door so that we would let her out after a too-long night. She doesn't understand that people don't get up at 5am.  She can still tolerate 6am, but 7 is already rude. 

She still very much likes to pluck grass on the meadow. She could do it all day without stopping. She doesn't like it too much being distracted while doing it, so sometimes you really need to wait long until you become interesting to her. When that happens, she comes to you, tests the quality of your clothes with her beak, and finally jumps on your knees, so that she could be closer to your shoulders from which she can see the world better.

To show to other people that chickens are really cool and that there is plenty of holiday food which can be eaten instead of chickens and other animals, we decided to combine these two ideas together on a poster. Saša was very nice on the set. During the shooting, which lasted for ten minutes, she walked just once over the table and vegan cakes, and she didn't even look at her corn. She liked Bundt cake the most because of the almonds, so she immediately appropriated one. But we had to crush it so that she could try it. 

In the end, Saša and me would like to let everyone know that it is much nicer to cuddle a chicken in your arms than to pluck her feathers after slaughtering her. These holidays, try out our vegetable, bean, cereal, tofu and seitan recipes. It is much healthier both for you and for chickens (and other animals). 

Bury the hatchet, and set the stump on fire. We already did ours. And it burns really nice.

Katja