Ivory the Rooster: Day 665 *updates*

[77horses]

And here's a newer picture I just found...

Father:

 

[crtrlovr]

Maybe he doesn't crow because he doesn't think he has any competition. My guys will remain pretty quiet until one decides to "make a statement", then they ALL have to try to outdo each other. Just as a lark, the next time you're out there with them, YOU crow and see how Ivory reacts. If it upsets him, you'll know not to do it again, but it may just kick in the impulse to make his own "roo-ness" public once again.

ETA: I know this sounds like a weird suggestion, but because I LOVE to hear my guys crow, sometimes I'll crow while I'm out in the run with them just to give them a "jump - start".

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Good idea! I've tried this before. In fact for about two weeks he stayed at my dad's house, nearby three other roosters (literally nearby them...he was kept with his flock in a separated caged-in run, so they wouldn't fight, but when they crowed he could definitely hear them!) but it never seemed to help encourage him. But I do have some recordings of my roosters crowing on my cell phone (

) that I can play for him to hear. I might go out early in the morning and stand outside the coop, playing them on full volume, to see if he starts crowing in response!

 

[77horses]

UPDATE: 282 days old!

Ivory has been crowing for the past month now, only in the morning though, and even up around 8am. It has been such a joy to hear him crow!

Unfortunately, back on October 6th, 2010, I lost my first chicken here at Ivory's coop. It was Pumpkin, the Buff Cochin Bantam hen, whom was the foster mother of the three blue EE pullets.

So now, the three pullets (Hope, May and Jasmine) and Ivory are getting along pretty well, but security on the coop has increased a lot. They are not allowed out of the coop during the day when I'm not home, and when I am home to watch them, they are only allowed to stay in their fenced-in run area around the coop. No more free ranging. I hate to do it, but it's for their own safety.
R.I.P Pumpkin...

(she was the Buff Cochin Bantam in this picture

~On the bright side, Ivory has been growing even more since my last update! He is quite the big rooster, now, considering his stunted growth as a chick!

Also, I'm still waiting on those pretty green eggs to begin showing up from Hope, May, and Jasmine.

___________
This year will be Ivory's and the pullet's first Christmas! In fact, it will technically be their first winter, too. Ivory was born in January, when winter was still here, but it was nearly over by then...So this year, he and his pullets will be able to see the first snowfall! They are also looking forward to all the yummy treats from Thanksgiving, since most of the leftovers (peas, mashed potatoes, squash, bread, etc...and any other leftovers that I know they will love) will be going straight to them! That way they will be able to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving dinner as well!

For Christmas, I plan on decorating their chicken coop and also doing what I do every year; buying them a large tub of plain yogurt! I always do that for all the chickens, and they just love yogurt! It's the perfect gift to give them on Christmas morning, despite the mess they always end up making...

Check back later for more updates on Ivory and his flock!

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Wow! I can't believe your first post on this thread was on 3/12 (my husband's birthday)... it seems like just yesterday I was reading about your little chick. He sure has grown into a fine young rooster!!

 

[77horses]

Robin'sBrood :

Wow! I can't believe your first post on this thread was on 3/12 (my husband's birthday)... it seems like just yesterday I was reading about your little chick. He sure has grown into a fine young rooster!!

Yes, it seems like only yesterday he was just a tiny chick living in his own brooder box with his mirror, sock bed, and heat lamp, in my bedroom.

Now, he's all grown up and has his own flock and is living in the coop outside. Right from the first day he 'graduated' to the big coop to now, I still worry about leaving him out there, despite the fact that it's pretty secure. The loss of Pumpkin definitely scared me...Don't get me wrong, I love all my chickens, but he's just one of those special ones whom I especially worry about.

But anyways, yeah it seems like so long ago since I first created this thread. And Ivory says thanks!

He has indeed become a very handsome little rooster...And he's the sweetest one I've ever had, too! He's probably the most friendly, smart, tamed, and loving chicken I have ever raised.

In fact, call me crazy, but he's probably the closest pet I've ever had whom I cared about so much.

You can see it by looking at this thread!

 

[drumstick diva]

I was so glad to see Ivory, that I re-read all the pages all over again. I have to say Ivory has the most beautiful, bright eyes I have ever seen on a chicken. He just looks smart. He had those same eyes since he was a baby.

You are taking the "empty nest" changeover better than I would. The pictures of him so cozy on your bed, made me think what a great house chicken he would be forever. I know it's better for him to be a chicken than a housepet Do you think that when he was sick it may have been something he caught from the new chicks? I was so worried to read your next posts. Whew what a relief to jump ahead and see he is himself again.

The story and the pictures are great and I love the mature way you handled comments and criticisms on this thread. You've got a good head on your shoulders and a good heart. That drawing of Ivory did so look like him. Continued best wishes to you and Ivory and your family for understanding how important this is to you. I hope you will post more when you get the chance. What a wonderful story , thanks for sharing with us.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

You could change his name from Ivory to Avery.

He has turned out to be a handsome boy - I like the blue in his tail.

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Why would I do that?

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Thank you so very much for your post.

Thanks for the wishes, and yes I will post more when I can!

When he got sick, you're right that it could have been something from the new chicks...But they weren't sick in the first place until he got sick, too. I believe it was either cocci, that maybe the chicks never showed symptoms of until then, or from the moldy feed that was mistakenly fed to them. Either way, at least they're all dong much better now!