Crying, crying, crying...

[chickbea]

OK, you guys, I finally did it...I rehomed my beloved rooster, Edward.

: hit

I'm heartbroken, and I'm guilt-ridden, because it was ME who couldn't stand to hear his singing at 4:00 every morning, not the neighbors. He's such a sweetie in every other way - I handled him every day so that he would be gentle to people, and he's so responsible with watching his hens. He made me really cry last night when he found a patch of wild strawberries, and instead of eating them all himself like a hen would do, he clucked his girls over, and presented the berries to them. It was just too sweet! Oh!
Yes, I found a fine home for him, but you know...other than a koi that outgrew my pond, I've never given away any animal, and certainly not one I saw being born and cared for from the first minute of life!

 

[mlheran]

Awwwwww. :aww At least you know he has a good home though. Now go give your girls some strawberries!

 

[chickbea]

Thanks - I'm doing a bit better. I did have to leave a meeting for a couple of minutes today because I was starting to tear up again.

My coworkers think I'm a loon! I don't care!

 

[justusnak]

Awwww,

It is very hard. I had 3 roos I had to rehome. They were from the ones I bought last year, and they were just not getting along. They were better off going to a loveing home that needed and wanted roos...and not fighting all the time. He sounded like a great roo for his ladies. Too bad you could not get used to the crowing. I love to hear my boys crow. I currently have 10 roos, and seperate pens. I say...sing boys sing..and they do! LOL At least you know he has a good home. Maybe you can go visit him??

 

[chickbea]

Eee - I plan to visit him! I also sent a disposable camera along also so that I can get pics of him in his new digs with his new harem.
I tried to adapt to the singing, but he is just exuberant and relentless! On and on he goes, singing at the top of his lungs! Unfortunately, I have a weird body clock that doesn't allow me to go to bed until midnight or so - getting rousted out of bed every morning at 4:00 was just not enough sleep to keep me going...I was getting cranky!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

You did the right thing. It must have been so hard though.
I'm glad you wrote what you did, because I'm going to have to do the same thing myself in a few weeks.

I ordered pullets and McMurray accidentally sent a roo with them. I found somebody who will take him, but am putting off taking him there...

In reading everybody's posts, my conclusion is that raising chickens is both a heart-warming and heart-breaking way of life. The chickens cause us so much joy, but also pain at times. Very character building, and bittersweet.

I hope you feel more confident again soon.

 

[unlikelyfarmers]

We just gave two of our roosters to our neighbor across the street. It is sad to have to give them away, but they were causing chaos..fighting, chasing the hens under our cars. It was bad. It's more peaceful now. Buff Hooligans is right, the chicken world can be pretty brutal. I had to stop myself from getting too attached, it's too painful when you lose them.

It will get better for you, it is nice that you gave him a new home.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Don't beat yourself up. You did what you felt like you had to do. Be strong, I know you wouldn't have given him to the wrong people. You know that he'll have a good life.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Boy, have I been there...only it was a crabby neighbour who didn't like Jerry or Slifer crowing...I had to rehome my hand raised friendly as all get out Leghorn cockerel who I raised from a 3 day old downy chick...Heartbreaking...Then when Slifer started crowing, I knew that I had to fight for that Cantakerous Bag of feathers, because she'd be killed for being mean, which she was. Except to me...
My heart aches for what you had to do, Chickbea, but if he wasn't making you happy, then you did the right thing.

 

[chickbea]

Thanks everyone. I'm hanging in there!