Random Chicken Appeared In My Yard This Morning! What Should I Do?!? What Breed Is He?

[Blueeyez]

This morning about 2 hours after I had let my chickens out, I opened the back door to check on them and to my surprise in a the far corner of our 2 acre back yard I see a chicken I do not recognize as mine. I walked over to him, he acted nervous but didn't attempt to fly over the fence or run. My 2 daughters and I were able to easily pick him so it seems put like and he's been around people quite a bit. We put him in a small pen we have so our other chickens wouldn't bully him until they are used to each other. He seems friendly but his waddles are pretty scratched up and I have a feeling someone must have put him in our yard, maybe because he was being bullied by there flock? We live in the country, but we are the house on the corner of a country road that gets quite a bit of traffic so maybe some noticed my flock and thought he'd have a better home here? My guess is that he's a bantam Cochin and I really don't see him having the ability to fly over our fence, so I don't know how he could have gotten in without someone putting him over the fence. So, do I attempt to figure out where he came from or do y'all think someone noticed my flock and large yard and dumped him here? Do y'all agree about him being a bantam Cochin?

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

Definitely a silver laced bantam Cochin. I personally don’t think he accidentally ended up in your yard unless you have neighbors who have free range chickens. You could try posting on craigslist seeing if anyone’s missing a rooster or maybe on some local facebook pages.

 

[Ribh]

He's a very good looking fella!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Its possible he came alone. They can jump fences especially when there are hens waiting on the other side . He wouldnt of traveled far if its a neighbors rooster. If not then ya, he probably got dumped there. If its not too late already he needs to be quarantined for a month away from your flock. I once got a rooster from the police station. LOL They had no clue how he got there but let me tell you, It was hilarious watching those police trying to catch him for me.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

This morning about 2 hours after I had let my chickens out, I opened the back door to check on them and to my surprise in a the far corner of our 2 acre back yard I see a chicken I do not recognize as mine. I walked over to him, he acted nervous but didn't attempt to fly over the fence or run. My 2 daughters and I were able to easily pick him so it seems put like and he's been around people quite a bit. We put him in a small pen we have so our other chickens wouldn't bully him until they are used to each other. He seems friendly but his waddles are pretty scratched up and I have a feeling someone must have put him in our yard, maybe because he was being bullied by there flock? We live in the country, but we are the house on the corner of a country road that gets quite a bit of traffic so maybe some noticed my flock and thought he'd have a better home here? My guess is that he's a bantam Cochin and I really don't see him having the ability to fly over our fence, so I don't know how he could have gotten in without someone putting him over the fence. So, do I attempt to figure out where he came from or do y'all think someone noticed my flock and large yard and dumped him here? Do y'all agree about him being a bantam Cochin?

View attachment 1965656

He’s beautiful!

 

[Blueeyez]

Yeah, we know basically everyone within about a half mile of us and there is only one other person with chickens that we know of and she said he wasn't hers because that was my first thought lol but he seems like a sweet little guy so I guess we'll let him stick around

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Well, congrats on your new rooster then. Check him over for mites/lice. His comb looks a little purple but not bad. Are you in a cold area ? Sometimes its helpful to add your general location

 

[tn_artist]

This morning about 2 hours after I had let my chickens out, I opened the back door to check on them and to my surprise in a the far corner of our 2 acre back yard I see a chicken I do not recognize as mine. I walked over to him, he acted nervous but didn't attempt to fly over the fence or run. My 2 daughters and I were able to easily pick him so it seems put like and he's been around people quite a bit. We put him in a small pen we have so our other chickens wouldn't bully him until they are used to each other. He seems friendly but his waddles are pretty scratched up and I have a feeling someone must have put him in our yard, maybe because he was being bullied by there flock? We live in the country, but we are the house on the corner of a country road that gets quite a bit of traffic so maybe some noticed my flock and thought he'd have a better home here? My guess is that he's a bantam Cochin and I really don't see him having the ability to fly over our fence, so I don't know how he could have gotten in without someone putting him over the fence. So, do I attempt to figure out where he came from or do y'all think someone noticed my flock and large yard and dumped him here? Do y'all agree about him being a bantam Cochin?

View attachment 1965656

I need to go make sure Ed is still in my backyard!

Just kidding, but it did make me look to see if you live near me. We are in town though and Ed is our quietist cockrel.

 

[Blueeyez]

We're in a small town in central Texas, about an hour west of Austin. What could cause the purpleness on his comb?

 

[BaaKaaawk]

We're in a small town in central Texas, about an hour west of Austin. What could cause the purpleness on his comb?

I don't see anything really out of the ordinary with the comb. They can have some different coloration.

Can you see your chickens from the road? If so it is highly likely someone dropped him off at your place. He may be a fine chicken, or he may be super ornery and they wanted him gone but didn't have the heart to kill him.

Either way i wouldn't just mix him in blindly. Quarantine him for a bit if you do intend to keep him- and if you don't just put him free on craigslist and someone will come get him.