I miss you, Steven (favorite roo raised from egg)

[FranzBear]

2023 was the first year I started hatching chickens, I had discharged from the Australia Navy on medical grounds, lost in life, kinda depressed when for some reason I had an sudden desire to hatch eggs and be surrounded by adorable fluffy chicks.

So I bought an incubator and 12 fertile eggs from eBay, only 1 hatched, a wyandotte named Steven. He slept beside me in a basket next to my bed, shat everywhere in my rented Sydney house (do not recommend, but I cleaned everything good as new and got the bond back). I loved him so much and as he had never seen another chicken before, he thought he was human, he bonded deeply to me and we went on all sorts of escapades all around the city, in my car, etc. he's ridden the bus, train, etc, I carried him around in my handbag. I also relocated to Brisbane from Sydney late 2023 and I drove him down with me. People marvelled at how sweet and tame he was and he brought a lot of joy to everyone who'd met him who's never seen such a tame chicken before. Even went on a volunteering trip with him where he acted as the mascot.

At this point he has a a girl's name as I was hoping he would be a hen, unfortunately as he was turning out to be a roo, I couldn't keep him especially when he started crowing. The Brisbane council was very strict on that and gave me a stern talking to and quoted a fine that was ridiculously high, like in the four figures. I put in the local classifieds that I had to re-home him, stated he was a pet and not to be eaten...a seemingly lovely lady who boasted she had many acres contacted me and told me she rescues roos, it sounded amazing, and she picked him up, promised to send me pictures of him, etc. I hugged him one last time and gave her a packet of his favorite dried mangoes.

I reached out to her a few weeks later asking if I could visit Steven, she said yes, long story short I found out that she was an animal hoarder, she'd locked Steven in a tiny coop with other wyandottes, he ran to see me and chirped and I almost cried at seeing him covered in mites and lice. I cursed myself at not having researched her better, I called the RSPCA and council on her for violations, she had THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS in tiny pens, some dying, far more chickens than were allowed, as well as tens of cats and dogs living in squalid conditions. I shouldn't have read her glowing reviews, I should have gone to her property first. I asked for him back she said no, he was hers now, then told me to get off her property or she'd call the police. I had no choice except to leave after her son started threatened me, I took as many photos as I could and last I heard RSPCA and council both visited her/raided her for gross violations and animal hoarding, I never knew what happened to Steven, even tho I called them up several times they just said it was their policy to not disclose updates.

Ironically, in 2024 I had moved to the country in northern Queensland where you could keep roosters. I wished I'd moved earlier, wished I'd somehow kept Steven in secret until I could have moved and then taken him with me, he'd be living free range now with his own harem of girls. I should never have let him go. Wherever you are Steven, I hope you're alive and doing well

 

[Farmgirl283420]

He seems like an amazing roo. I’m so sorry you couldn’t get him back.

 

[CombNWattles]

He is beautiful.

 

[SkyAJK]

2023 was the first year I started hatching chickens, I had discharged from the Australia Navy on medical grounds, lost in life, kinda depressed when for some reason I had an sudden desire to hatch eggs and be surrounded by adorable fluffy chicks.

So I bought an incubator and 12 fertile eggs from eBay, only 1 hatched, a wyandotte named Steven. He slept beside me in a basket next to my bed, shat everywhere in my rented Sydney house (do not recommend, but I cleaned everything good as new and got the bond back). I loved him so much and as he had never seen another chicken before, he thought he was human, he bonded deeply to me and we went on all sorts of escapades all around the city, in my car, etc. he's ridden the bus, train, etc, I carried him around in my handbag. I also relocated to Brisbane from Sydney late 2023 and I drove him down with me. People marvelled at how sweet and tame he was and he brought a lot of joy to everyone who'd met him who's never seen such a tame chicken before. Even went on a volunteering trip with him where he acted as the mascot.

At this point he has a a girl's name as I was hoping he would be a hen, unfortunately as he was turning out to be a roo, I couldn't keep him especially when he started crowing. The Brisbane council was very strict on that and gave me a stern talking to and quoted a fine that was ridiculously high, like in the four figures. I put in the local classifieds that I had to re-home him, stated he was a pet and not to be eaten...a seemingly lovely lady who boasted she had many acres contacted me and told me she rescues roos, it sounded amazing, and she picked him up, promised to send me pictures of him, etc. I hugged him one last time and gave her a packet of his favorite dried mangoes.

I reached out to her a few weeks later asking if I could visit Steven, she said yes, long story short I found out that she was an animal hoarder, she'd locked Steven in a tiny coop with other wyandottes, he ran to see me and chirped and I almost cried at seeing him covered in mites and lice. I cursed myself at not having researched her better, I called the RSPCA and council on her for violations, she had THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS in tiny pens, some dying, far more chickens than were allowed, as well as tens of cats and dogs living in squalid conditions. I shouldn't have read her glowing reviews, I should have gone to her property first. I asked for him back she said no, he was hers now, then told me to get off her property or she'd call the police. I had no choice except to leave after her son started threatened me, I took as many photos as I could and last I heard RSPCA and council both visited her/raided her for gross violations and animal hoarding, I never knew what happened to Steven, even tho I called them up several times they just said it was their policy to not disclose updates.

Ironically, in 2024 I had moved to the country in northern Queensland where you could keep roosters. I wished I'd moved earlier, wished I'd somehow kept Steven in secret until I could have moved and then taken him with me, he'd be living free range now with his own harem of girls. I should never have let him go. Wherever you are Steven, I hope you're alive and doing well

I feel your pain reading your story.
I live in the same area as you did and I had a rooster I hatched from egg, as I already had a rooster living in secret wearing a rooster collar, so I can not secretly keep 2.
I contacted many animals rescue sanctuary and they told me they can not take in anymore rooster. One did point me to another animal rescued place that was 3 hours drive from me. It looks nice and they seem kind people from their facebook. I made contact and delivered him there. 1 month later I took him back as my mom was upset.
He was very sick when I got him back, he could not stand up and was having watery eyes and nose, sour crop...etc..I took him to the Vet got the medication, but in the end I had to euthanized him.

From that experience, I do not give away any of my animals. I will have them euthanize so that they will have a quick and painless dead. I still miss him every day. The picture of my profile is that of him my baby rooster Pepper.

I shared your pain, and I wish you can get Steven back. Will RSPCA gets the rooster back for you that now you can have rooster where you live?

 

[FranzBear]

I feel your pain reading your story.
I live in the same area as you did and I had a rooster I hatched from egg, as I already had a rooster living in secret wearing a rooster collar, so I can not secretly keep 2.
I contacted many animals rescue sanctuary and they told me they can not take in anymore rooster. One did point me to another animal rescued place that was 3 hours drive from me. It looks nice and they seem kind people from their facebook. I made contact and delivered him there. 1 month later I took him back as my mom was upset.
He was very sick when I got him back, he could not stand up and was having watery eyes and nose, sour crop...etc..I took him to the Vet got the medication, but in the end I had to euthanized him.

From that experience, I do not give away any of my animals. I will have them euthanize so that they will have a quick and painless dead. I still miss him every day. The picture of my profile is that of him my baby rooster Pepper.

I shared your pain, and I wish you can get Steven back. Will RSPCA gets the rooster back for you that now you can have rooster where you live?

I am sorry to hear about your horrible experience, many 'rescues' in Australia are terrible. Absolutely more like concentration camps than anything. I have learnt my lesson and it saddens me that many people don't know that these 'rescues' are a actually just run by animal hoarders with no certifications.

I have Steven away in late 2023 and have litte hope RPSCA probably even knows where he is as they confiscated hundreds of roos along with him. I regret not pushing RSPCA harder but I also understand that I was dealing with some mental health issues at the moment...it's so hard looking back wishing you've done more but 1) bureaucracy ties your hands and 2) mentally I was also unwell.

 

[SkyAJK]

I am sorry to hear about your horrible experience, many 'rescues' in Australia are terrible. Absolutely more like concentration camps than anything. I have learnt my lesson and it saddens me that many people don't know that these 'rescues' are a actually just run by animal hoarders with no certifications.

I have Steven away in late 2023 and have litte hope RPSCA probably even knows where he is as they confiscated hundreds of roos along with him. I regret not pushing RSPCA harder but I also understand that I was dealing with some mental health issues at the moment...it's so hard looking back wishing you've done more but 1) bureaucracy ties your hands and 2) mentally I was also unwell.

You have done all that you know how at the time, and as we got more information it was too late to make changes sometimes.
I suffered so much when I got home rooster home and he was so sick, how can I trust them, I remember certain things those could have been the many signs, but they were recommended by an Animal Sanctuary.

It was so good that you reported them, RSPCA had saved those animals suffering in that place. Did you know if Steven was rescued by RSPCA? From what I heard rumour, NOT from RSPCA that they euthanize animals that they can not rehome. I feel that a quick and painless dead is better than living in suffering that that horrible place put so many animals through. Karma will get them.

 

[The Chick Addict]

2023 was the first year I started hatching chickens, I had discharged from the Australia Navy on medical grounds, lost in life, kinda depressed when for some reason I had an sudden desire to hatch eggs and be surrounded by adorable fluffy chicks.

So I bought an incubator and 12 fertile eggs from eBay, only 1 hatched, a wyandotte named Steven. He slept beside me in a basket next to my bed, shat everywhere in my rented Sydney house (do not recommend, but I cleaned everything good as new and got the bond back). I loved him so much and as he had never seen another chicken before, he thought he was human, he bonded deeply to me and we went on all sorts of escapades all around the city, in my car, etc. he's ridden the bus, train, etc, I carried him around in my handbag. I also relocated to Brisbane from Sydney late 2023 and I drove him down with me. People marvelled at how sweet and tame he was and he brought a lot of joy to everyone who'd met him who's never seen such a tame chicken before. Even went on a volunteering trip with him where he acted as the mascot.

At this point he has a a girl's name as I was hoping he would be a hen, unfortunately as he was turning out to be a roo, I couldn't keep him especially when he started crowing. The Brisbane council was very strict on that and gave me a stern talking to and quoted a fine that was ridiculously high, like in the four figures. I put in the local classifieds that I had to re-home him, stated he was a pet and not to be eaten...a seemingly lovely lady who boasted she had many acres contacted me and told me she rescues roos, it sounded amazing, and she picked him up, promised to send me pictures of him, etc. I hugged him one last time and gave her a packet of his favorite dried mangoes.

I reached out to her a few weeks later asking if I could visit Steven, she said yes, long story short I found out that she was an animal hoarder, she'd locked Steven in a tiny coop with other wyandottes, he ran to see me and chirped and I almost cried at seeing him covered in mites and lice. I cursed myself at not having researched her better, I called the RSPCA and council on her for violations, she had THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS in tiny pens, some dying, far more chickens than were allowed, as well as tens of cats and dogs living in squalid conditions. I shouldn't have read her glowing reviews, I should have gone to her property first. I asked for him back she said no, he was hers now, then told me to get off her property or she'd call the police. I had no choice except to leave after her son started threatened me, I took as many photos as I could and last I heard RSPCA and council both visited her/raided her for gross violations and animal hoarding, I never knew what happened to Steven, even tho I called them up several times they just said it was their policy to not disclose updates.

Ironically, in 2024 I had moved to the country in northern Queensland where you could keep roosters. I wished I'd moved earlier, wished I'd somehow kept Steven in secret until I could have moved and then taken him with me, he'd be living free range now with his own harem of girls. I should never have let him go. Wherever you are Steven, I hope you're alive and doing well

This is a beautiful story, and I'm almost crying tears reading it. I'm so sorry that this happened, I'm hoping in praying that he is alive and in good hands, I'm sure you miss him dearly.

 

[FranzBear]

You have done all that you know how at the time, and as we got more information it was too late to make changes sometimes.
I suffered so much when I got home rooster home and he was so sick, how can I trust them, I remember certain things those could have been the many signs, but they were recommended by an Animal Sanctuary.

It was so good that you reported them, RSPCA had saved those animals suffering in that place. Did you know if Steven was rescued by RSPCA? From what I heard rumour, NOT from RSPCA that they euthanize animals that they can not rehome. I feel that a quick and painless dead is better than living in suffering that that horrible place put so many animals through. Karma will get them.

I really hope Steven is alive and well but if it had to be, I hope he had a painless passing and is in the big pasture in the sky.

I recently did try to hatch eggs from the same eBay seller I bought Steven as an egg from, I know it's not the same but knowing that there still is a tie to him and potentially having a biological brother or sister to him (if the seller kept the same breeding stock) would make me just feel a tiny bit better. Unfortunately as I wrote in another post, one of those eggs exploded and I had to discard the rest...but another of my hen is broody recently and I was thinking of buying eggs from that seller again.

I feel kind of pathetic really, knowing what made Steven Steven was the fact I raised him up myself and bonded one to one HOWEVER I still maintain that a chick is best raised up by a hen mother, and unfortunately the only thing that made me raise Steven up that way was that he had no brothers or sisters hatch with him, and also because being bipolar would make you do manic stuff like letting the chick sleep with you in your bed and sh*t everywhere in your bedroom (it was objectively not a good idea, and my homemade chicken diapers did not work well lol).

But it would still be amazing to see a Steven 2.0 growing up, sure not as tame as the original Steven had been, but still a happy healthy chicken bearing some resemblance. I love wyandottes so much, they hold such a special place in my heart.

 

[RoyalChick]

2023 was the first year I started hatching chickens, I had discharged from the Australia Navy on medical grounds, lost in life, kinda depressed when for some reason I had an sudden desire to hatch eggs and be surrounded by adorable fluffy chicks.

So I bought an incubator and 12 fertile eggs from eBay, only 1 hatched, a wyandotte named Steven. He slept beside me in a basket next to my bed, shat everywhere in my rented Sydney house (do not recommend, but I cleaned everything good as new and got the bond back). I loved him so much and as he had never seen another chicken before, he thought he was human, he bonded deeply to me and we went on all sorts of escapades all around the city, in my car, etc. he's ridden the bus, train, etc, I carried him around in my handbag. I also relocated to Brisbane from Sydney late 2023 and I drove him down with me. People marvelled at how sweet and tame he was and he brought a lot of joy to everyone who'd met him who's never seen such a tame chicken before. Even went on a volunteering trip with him where he acted as the mascot.

At this point he has a a girl's name as I was hoping he would be a hen, unfortunately as he was turning out to be a roo, I couldn't keep him especially when he started crowing. The Brisbane council was very strict on that and gave me a stern talking to and quoted a fine that was ridiculously high, like in the four figures. I put in the local classifieds that I had to re-home him, stated he was a pet and not to be eaten...a seemingly lovely lady who boasted she had many acres contacted me and told me she rescues roos, it sounded amazing, and she picked him up, promised to send me pictures of him, etc. I hugged him one last time and gave her a packet of his favorite dried mangoes.

I reached out to her a few weeks later asking if I could visit Steven, she said yes, long story short I found out that she was an animal hoarder, she'd locked Steven in a tiny coop with other wyandottes, he ran to see me and chirped and I almost cried at seeing him covered in mites and lice. I cursed myself at not having researched her better, I called the RSPCA and council on her for violations, she had THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS in tiny pens, some dying, far more chickens than were allowed, as well as tens of cats and dogs living in squalid conditions. I shouldn't have read her glowing reviews, I should have gone to her property first. I asked for him back she said no, he was hers now, then told me to get off her property or she'd call the police. I had no choice except to leave after her son started threatened me, I took as many photos as I could and last I heard RSPCA and council both visited her/raided her for gross violations and animal hoarding, I never knew what happened to Steven, even tho I called them up several times they just said it was their policy to not disclose updates.

Ironically, in 2024 I had moved to the country in northern Queensland where you could keep roosters. I wished I'd moved earlier, wished I'd somehow kept Steven in secret until I could have moved and then taken him with me, he'd be living free range now with his own harem of girls. I should never have let him go. Wherever you are Steven, I hope you're alive and doing well

No words. Just very sad.

 

[Daisy June]

2023 was the first year I started hatching chickens, I had discharged from the Australia Navy on medical grounds, lost in life, kinda depressed when for some reason I had an sudden desire to hatch eggs and be surrounded by adorable fluffy chicks.

So I bought an incubator and 12 fertile eggs from eBay, only 1 hatched, a wyandotte named Steven. He slept beside me in a basket next to my bed, shat everywhere in my rented Sydney house (do not recommend, but I cleaned everything good as new and got the bond back). I loved him so much and as he had never seen another chicken before, he thought he was human, he bonded deeply to me and we went on all sorts of escapades all around the city, in my car, etc. he's ridden the bus, train, etc, I carried him around in my handbag. I also relocated to Brisbane from Sydney late 2023 and I drove him down with me. People marvelled at how sweet and tame he was and he brought a lot of joy to everyone who'd met him who's never seen such a tame chicken before. Even went on a volunteering trip with him where he acted as the mascot.

At this point he has a a girl's name as I was hoping he would be a hen, unfortunately as he was turning out to be a roo, I couldn't keep him especially when he started crowing. The Brisbane council was very strict on that and gave me a stern talking to and quoted a fine that was ridiculously high, like in the four figures. I put in the local classifieds that I had to re-home him, stated he was a pet and not to be eaten...a seemingly lovely lady who boasted she had many acres contacted me and told me she rescues roos, it sounded amazing, and she picked him up, promised to send me pictures of him, etc. I hugged him one last time and gave her a packet of his favorite dried mangoes.

I reached out to her a few weeks later asking if I could visit Steven, she said yes, long story short I found out that she was an animal hoarder, she'd locked Steven in a tiny coop with other wyandottes, he ran to see me and chirped and I almost cried at seeing him covered in mites and lice. I cursed myself at not having researched her better, I called the RSPCA and council on her for violations, she had THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS in tiny pens, some dying, far more chickens than were allowed, as well as tens of cats and dogs living in squalid conditions. I shouldn't have read her glowing reviews, I should have gone to her property first. I asked for him back she said no, he was hers now, then told me to get off her property or she'd call the police. I had no choice except to leave after her son started threatened me, I took as many photos as I could and last I heard RSPCA and council both visited her/raided her for gross violations and animal hoarding, I never knew what happened to Steven, even tho I called them up several times they just said it was their policy to not disclose updates.

Ironically, in 2024 I had moved to the country in northern Queensland where you could keep roosters. I wished I'd moved earlier, wished I'd somehow kept Steven in secret until I could have moved and then taken him with me, he'd be living free range now with his own harem of girls. I should never have let him go. Wherever you are Steven, I hope you're alive and doing well

Your story made me laugh and cry. I am terribly sorry for you and Steven. You, having shared this experience, will no doubt save others from such a fate as yours and Steven's. Thank you for telling it.