Minstrel's extraordinary story began as an egg delivered through the post.
She was one of two chicks hatched by Queenie, a broody hen who had kindly taken on the role of surrogate mother. Unfortunately, once the chicks emerged, Queenie took a shine to the other chick but decided that Minstrel was most definitely not welcome.
So I stepped in, and Minstrel became my little companion.
Over the years, I've had rescue chickens and bantams, but Minstrel has outlived them all. Now around nine years old, she's the grand old lady of the household, although nobody appears to have informed her that she's supposed to be slowing down.
She's always had a talent for disappearing into the most unlikely places. On one occasion, after I'd searched everywhere for her, I happened to look up and discovered her perched on a wire, looking down at me as though wondering what all the fuss was about.
These days, Minstrel enjoys a comfortable retirement. She loves sunbathing, taking a luxurious dust bath in her favourite garden pot, and keeping an eye on the ducks, provided they're behaving themselves.
She's quite happy around the dogs, enjoys a cuddle, and is wonderfully communicative. Particularly when it comes to bedtime.
When she's decided it's time to retire for the evening, she marches up to the back door and loudly announces that she's ready to come inside. There's absolutely no mistaking her intentions.
Her evening accommodation is in the art room, where she occupies the lower deck beneath Jojo and Alfie.
After all, a lady of her age deserves a little comfort, security and attentive room service.
And Minstrel makes absolutely certain she gets it!