
Billina is a fictional character in L. Frank Baum's classic children's series of Oz books. She is introduced in Ozma of Oz (1907) as Dorothy Gale's pet chicken and animal companion. In Disney's Return to Oz, Billina is voiced by Denise Bryer. In the film, she is described as spunky, sassy, and talkative. She is also the only orange chicken in her bunch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Billina |
| Original Name | Bill |
| Owner | Dorothy Gale |
| Breed | Hen |
| Egg-Laying Status | Stopped laying eggs, but eventually laid an egg that killed the Nome King |
| Ability | Gained the ability to speak in Oz |
| Origin | Washed up on the shores of Ev with Dorothy |
| Personality | Spunky, sassy, and talkative |
| Portrayed By | Denise Bryer (voice in Return to Oz) |
Explore related products
$20.68 $24.82
What You'll Learn

Billina is a fictional character
Billina's story begins as a chick, when the boy tending the hens takes a liking to her and names her Bill, unsure of her gender. As she grows older, it becomes clear that she is a female chicken, but the name sticks. Eventually, Bill is sold and ends up on a chicken coop on a ship headed to Australia. During a terrible storm, the coop is washed overboard, and Bill finds herself stranded on a small ship with a young girl, who turns out to be Dorothy Gale.
The next morning, Bill lays an egg and begins crowing loudly, waking Dorothy. When Dorothy hears the name Bill, she decides to feminize it, calling the chicken Billina. From then on, Billina accompanies Dorothy on her adventures in Oz, taking on the role that Dorothy's pet dog Toto played in the first Oz book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
In the film "Return to Oz," Billina is portrayed as Dorothy's pet hen. She initially refuses to lay eggs, prompting Dorothy's aunt to threaten to cook her for dinner. This leads Billina to flee the farm and join Dorothy on her journey to Oz. In Oz, Billina plays a crucial role in defeating the Nome King, as eggs are poisonous to Nomes.
Billina's breed is not explicitly mentioned in the books or the film. However, she is described as orange in colour and gains the ability to speak upon arriving in Oz. She is a beloved character, known for her feisty personality and her loyalty to Dorothy.
Dave's Hot Chicken: Mild Options for Sensitive Taste Buds
You may want to see also
Explore related products

She is Dorothy Gale's pet chicken
Billina is a fictional character in the classic children's series of Oz books by American author L. Frank Baum. She is Dorothy Gale's pet chicken in Disney's cult classic film Return to Oz. Dorothy Gale is a fictional character created by American author L. Frank Baum as the protagonist in many of his Oz novels. She first appears in Baum's classic 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reappears in most of its sequels.
Billina was once an ordinary chicken who decided to stop laying eggs. Dorothy's aunt, Em, then says that if Billina doesn't lay any more eggs, she will have to be cooked for dinner. In fear, she flees the farm, ending up with Dorothy. They sail all night until they reach Oz. In Oz, Billina and Dorothy have many amusing conversations. Billina also finds a golden key while digging for bugs and other tiny creatures to eat.
Billina is a spunky, sassy, and talkative chicken. She was originally named Bill because, as she tells Dorothy, "no one could tell whether I was going to be a hen or a rooster". Dorothy insists on changing the name to a feminine form, so Bill becomes Billina. Billina is the only orange chicken in the bunch and becomes Dorothy's favourite.
Billina plays a key role in helping Dorothy and her friends reach the city of Evna. She also helps them rescue the Queen of Ev and her children from the Nome King. During the final battle against the Nome King, Billina lays an egg that falls into the Nome King's mouth, killing him. After Ozma rescues Dorothy, Dorothy sets Billina free. Billina chooses to remain in Oz, enamoured by the excitement there, and not wanting to return to her monotonous life in Kansas.
Chicken Stock: How Many Ounces in a Box?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Billina is a companion to Dorothy
Billina is a fictional character in the classic children's series of Oz books by American author L. Frank Baum. She is introduced in Ozma of Oz (1907) as Dorothy Gale's animal companion. Dorothy was on an ocean voyage to Australia with her Uncle Henry when a violent storm hit, tossing the ship overboard. Dorothy and Billina wash up on the uncharted shores of Ev in a chicken coop they had taken refuge in.
Billina is a spunky, sassy, and talkative chicken with a sharp, distinct husky voice and a strong country accent. She is brave, practical, and loving, and a real humble friend to all those who know her. She is one of Dorothy Gale's loyal pets from the Kansas farm, alongside Toto, her little black dog. When out of Kansas and in Oz, Billina is able to speak actual words instead of clucking and cackling. Dorothy notices that Billina has natural sass and attitude and isn't scared of anything bigger than herself. She has a witty personality and is a wise-cracker, even in dangerous situations.
Billina is a key character in the Oz books and plays an important role in several of Dorothy's adventures. She accompanies Dorothy to Evna, the capital of Ev, where they meet the Wheelers and Tik-Tok, a mechanical copper man. Billina helps Dorothy escape the captivity of Princess Langwidere, who threatens to cook Billina for not laying eggs. Billina bluffs that her breed is poisonous to the princess, and she is instead kept alive to lay eggs. She also provides the eggs that the Scarecrow uses to defeat the Nomes, as eggs are poisonous to them.
In The Road to Oz (1909), Billina accompanies Tik-Tok in welcoming Dorothy and her friends to Oz. She is present at Princess Ozma's royal birthday party. Billina also appears in Disney's Return to Oz (1985), where she is a main character and a state-of-the-art electronic puppet. She is voiced by Denise Bryer and performed by Mak Wilson.
Shred Chicken with a Food Processor: Quick Tips
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$19.03 $22.32

She is a spunky, sassy and talkative chicken
Billina is a fictional character in the classic children's series of Oz books by American author L. Frank Baum. She is introduced in Ozma of Oz, published in 1907. In the story, Billina is a spunky, sassy, and talkative chicken who becomes Dorothy Gale's companion.
Billina was originally named Bill because, as a chick, it was unclear whether she would grow up to be a hen or a rooster. When Dorothy meets Billina, she decides to change the name to its feminine form, Billina, which the chicken doesn't mind.
Billina has a distinct, husky voice with a strong country accent. She is described as having a natural sass and attitude, speaking her mind and often coming across as cynical yet humorous. She is proud of laying a fresh egg every morning and enjoys a good cackle afterward. She is particular about where she lays her eggs, only hatching them when she has a nice nest with a baker's dozen.
Billina's character is based on the author L. Frank Baum's experience with raising Hamburg chickens, as described in one of his earliest books. In the story, Billina is from the Gale farm in Kansas, and she joins Dorothy on her voyage to Australia, where they encounter the magical Land of Oz. Billina becomes Dorothy's loyal pet and companion, taking on a similar role to Toto, Dorothy's dog from the first Oz book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Billina's ability to speak and her unique personality traits add to the charm of the character, making her a memorable part of the Oz series and its adaptations.
Small Chicken Breeds: Non-Bantam Options for Your Coop
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$10.98 $11.99

Billina is the only orange chicken in the bunch
Billina is a fictional character in the classic children's series of Oz books by American author L. Frank Baum. She is introduced in Ozma of Oz (1907) as a spunky, sassy, and talkative chicken who becomes Dorothy Gale's animal companion.
In Oz, Billina and Dorothy have many amusing conversations and exciting adventures. Billina even helps Dorothy and her friends defeat the Nome King, as only a hen can, since eggs are poisonous to Nomes. When the Nome King threatens to cook Billina, she bluffs that her breed is poisonous to him, and he instead keeps her to lay eggs. Eventually, Ozma rescues Dorothy, and Dorothy sets Billina free.
Billina is a beloved character in the Oz series, known for her courage, quick thinking, and loyalty to Dorothy. She is a unique and memorable addition to the cast of characters in Oz, and her orange feathers make her stand out from the rest of the bunch.
Air Fryer Chicken: The Secret to Perfect Breading
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Billina is a fictional character in the classic children's series of Oz books by American author L Frank Baum. She is introduced in Ozma of Oz (1907).
Billina is a regular hen. She is described as spunky, sassy, and talkative.
Billina is Dorothy Gale's pet hen and animal companion in Return to Oz. She joins Dorothy on her adventures and helps defeat the Nome King as only a hen can, since eggs are poisonous to Nomes.











































