When I wanted to add a rooster to my flock of girls I split an order with a friend of mine and got a rooster and another pullet. I named the boy, a salmon faverolle, Arnold and the girl, a buff Orpington, Penny. Penny was always very scared but Arnold loved to come and hang out with me. He developed much faster than other roosters and began to start protecting Penny at 6 weeks when they first met my older girls. She got pecked once and he, half their size, stood as tall as he could up to Dixie, the queen of the coop. He got pecked himself but it was sweet to see him standing up for his girl. He began trying to crow at 6 weeks as well and then got scared when he watched videos of himself crowing. Every time Arnold came out of the brooder, Penny would cry and cry for him to come back. You could hear her cries all the way inside the house so if you wanted to visit with one of them, you had to hold them both. They were inseparable.
But today was a sad day.
Last night, a raccoon found his way into the garage. Sweet Penny and Arnold were an easy meal for a big critter. This morning all that was left was a few of Penny's feathers, half of Arnold's carcass and poop from the raccoon.
The two were only 8 weeks old. Their lives were just beginning. They were just beginning to appreciate the grass and the bugs and the sun. They were slowly being welcomed into the flock by the older girls.
I like to think that it went quick for them, and any struggle was Arnold being himself and attempting to protect his girl. I like to think they felt no pain and that they are together still wherever they may be. I like to believe Arnold has the loudest crow he could ever want now and that Penny can bask in the sun on the warm green grass and can eat all the bugs she desires.
I hope that they know that even though their lives were short, they were loved.
I created this thread in memory of baby Arnold Schwarzenegger and Penny. Please share the stories of you're favorite chickens in honor of these two.
But today was a sad day.
Last night, a raccoon found his way into the garage. Sweet Penny and Arnold were an easy meal for a big critter. This morning all that was left was a few of Penny's feathers, half of Arnold's carcass and poop from the raccoon.
The two were only 8 weeks old. Their lives were just beginning. They were just beginning to appreciate the grass and the bugs and the sun. They were slowly being welcomed into the flock by the older girls.
I like to think that it went quick for them, and any struggle was Arnold being himself and attempting to protect his girl. I like to think they felt no pain and that they are together still wherever they may be. I like to believe Arnold has the loudest crow he could ever want now and that Penny can bask in the sun on the warm green grass and can eat all the bugs she desires.
I hope that they know that even though their lives were short, they were loved.
I created this thread in memory of baby Arnold Schwarzenegger and Penny. Please share the stories of you're favorite chickens in honor of these two.
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