- Jul 21, 2011
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I have had chickens before, but the last time, about 4 years ago, I got six hens from the feed store. This time, the six "pullet" chicks turned out to be 5 hens and a rooster. I was wondering why that one pullet was so much larger and had such well-developed comb and wattles, but when he started to crow, I had the answer. I was just about to invite the fellow to dinner this week, but yesterday I was forced to change my plans. I took the chickens some scraps from our dinner, we had some grilled salmon. The rooster, who doesn't yet have a name, but that's coming, came over first, and started clucking loudly, then he kept picking up fish scraps and then dropping them, picking them up, and dropping, all while clucking loudly. Some of you who have had roosters before maybe recognize this behaviour, but it took me a while before I realized what was going on. He was calling his hens to dinner. All the hens got some before he ate any. That did me in, for sure. He was taking good care of his hens. I have read before, that a good rooster will protect the flock from predators, but I did not know to what extent he will take care of "his girls." So, even though the chicken ordinance doesn't allow roosters in our town, he is going to stay unless I get a notice from the city.