Mystery roo adopted our flock

[abcdriver]

“Freddie the freeloader” showed up in our yard in September. Very young guy then and we weren't sure he was a he. He hangs out with our girls, but flies well and roosts in fir trees at night. Very skittish when we approach, due to being feral. Any ideas on breed? Also, thoughts on how to catch him to clip wings? Not supposed to have roos in our city, but I hear others all the time.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Looks like a mixed breed.
If you have an enclosed covered run you could lure him into the run and lock him in. Or you could catch him when he is roosting at night and keep him confined for a week or two.

 

[Shadrach]

Hello abcdriver.
Welcome to BYC.
Funny how the boys manage to find the girls.

 

[Redhead Rae]

You could catch him and rehome him if anyone complains. He probably is an "oopsie" that someone set free.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I agree he looks mixed breed.
Handsome though.

If you get a group together to try and run him down to catch him be sure to post a video!



Seriously......getting him while he's asleep will definitely be easiest.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

A leg hook to snag him out of his tree at night would be easiest. Once he calls the coop home you may not need to clip his wings. He'll get real comfortable with his freeloader lifestyle and probably go to roost in the coop on his own.

 

[staceyj]

Hi there. I love a good story about a feral chicken finding a forever home!

Here’s a good video about a leg hook for catching chickens.

 

[abcdriver]

View attachment 1632278
“Freddie the freeloader” showed up in our yard in September. Very young guy then and we weren't sure he was a he. He hangs out with our girls, but flies well and roosts in fir trees at night. Very skittish when we approach, due to being feral. Any ideas on breed? Also, thoughts on how to catch him to clip wings? Not supposed to have roos in our city, but I hear others all the time.

 

[abcdriver]

UPDATE: We did catch Freddie and clip his wings. My wife trapped him in our kennel which has chicken wire roofing. Then after sundown, we went out with headlamps. Half asleep, he never knew what hit him and was quite docile.

 

[21hens-incharge]

He is a handsome fellow.