Chickens have souls.

[darkmatter]

Rooster behavior can surprise you at times.........When a Raccoon opened the egg door to a nest and destroyed the hatching pipping chicks/embryos under one of the broodies. The next day the Rooster was in the adjacent nest to the broody and it looked and sounded like he was consoling her for her lost, I've had never seen the Rooster nestled down in a nest box before or since.

 

[speckledhen]

I know what it's like to have a King Among Roosters, to which all others will forever have to measure up. That will by our Hawkeye, battle scarred and plain old hatchery stock, he was gentle as they come to chicks and teenage pullets alike. We'll never forget him. A good rooster is worth his weight in gold, and that's really saying something these days! Sorry for your loss.

 

[frankm1]

This is my first post, and I hope it will be one of many more to come. I've browsed this forum before and and have really enjoyed the common love shared here for chickens, it seems like a great place to BS about about those little feathered friends.

Almost 8 years ago now we added a rooster to the farm, and in those 8 years we had become attached to him. We've had other roosters on the farm, but they were mean, this may sound crazy but, this rooster was the gentleman of all roosters. He never chased anyone, he didn't like to fight with the other roosters, and he was a great leader for the hens, there was just something special about Splice that we loved. We got him off another farm all those 8 years ago, and he was a mature rooster then, but he spent the next 8 years happily becoming The chicken of the farm. He was a staple to us and the neighbors. We had roosters that would chase the neighbors (all the neighbors are relatives, which isn't always a bad thing

), then Splice would come to the rescue and run the others off.

He died yesterday afternoon, we figure it was just his time, but he will be missed badly by all.

He had a constant companion, an old Rhode Island Red hen, she wouldn't leave his side when he passed, really tough to see her with the other roosters.


I'd love to post a pic, but because I'm a newby I guess I'll have to wait.

P.S.
Thanks for letting me share my disappointment of the loss of a great feathered friend.

My mother just killed a chicken which id been emotionally connected to, I cried. I wish she could consult with me first so to decide which to slaughter, I am very sad. I feed them, and I'd be home alone but never feel so because they are around. I though I had no much emotions but today I weep, I miss it so much, it was a reserved rooster, never poked other ones. I weep for my rooster.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sorry for your loss, Frank.