Rooster rescued from a coyote, using Manuka honey

[Sunshine Flock]

Yes, cocks are over 1 year of age, it's synonymous with rooster... the average bear won't know or care that he's technically a cockerel, and I know I've certainly been guilty of calling a cockerel a rooster, especially when talking to non-chicken people.

Just had to barge in here... sorry.

Well, now that's a whole other concern. Bears can read?

You didn't barge in at all. This is a public discussion and the more, the merrier. Thank you for your comment!

 

[BantyChooks]

Well, now that's a whole other concern. Bears can read?

You didn't barge in at all. This is a public discussion and the more, the merrier. Thank you for your comment!

Haven't you seen the bear crossing signs on the road?

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Hold on to your gizzards, folks. Me thinks I've got myself a problem.

I'm taking care not to self promote myself and a book I'd love to write, so just to be clear: This isn't me promoting me.

And I'm sensitive to the fact that this is the emergencies forum. But this just may qualify.

According to @EggSighted4Life in a discussion on mites, a rooster isn't a rooster until he's one year old. Henry just celebrated his eighth month of life.

So does that mean the book I'm aiming to write that's inspired by my all time favorite book, 'That Quail, Robert,' must instead be called 'That Cockerel, Henry'?

Or worser yet: 'That Cock, Henry'?

That just doesn't sit right with me.

That is so funny! Your Henry is the same age as my Bob. He is 8 months as well.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Henry now hops straight out of his sliding glass door every morning, reaches the end of the deck and does a fly-leap to the ground, and heads for his hens.

So he pretty much spends the entire day outside, supervised because my life has been totally consumed by all things chickens. But it's a joy for me.

Whenever we go into town, I stuff them in their hen house, one by one (duh), and then carry a crying Henry back to his bedroom. Today, though, he hobbled over to the little chicken door and waited for an airlift. I stuffed him in there with the rest of the flock, shut the door, and that was that.

When we got home, I heard my boy crowing from inside the chicken coop for the first time since the coyote attack over two months ago. I use leaves and pine needles for litter and could also hear heaps of feet stomping and crunching as they waited in line to be freed into the run.

The first one out was the head hen Rosemary, quickly followed by no other than Henry. He lifted the recovering right leg up and rested it on the door frame and then hopped up with some wing effort, stood there for a second, and flew down to a perfect landing.

So another milestone for Henry Houdini the Wonder Rooster!

I'd say he's ready for an overnighter, as long as the temperatures aren't in the 30s like they've been at night. Once I've assembled a double wide disability roost for him, he'll have a sleepover with his flock. They don't at all nibble or peck him anymore.

As soon as he was reunited with them this morning, he did mad crazy Spanish dancing all over the place, circling hens, chasing them down, and laying down the rooster law. It was an awesome sight to behold.

The thing about an overnighter and a custom made disability roost is Henry's male bird ego. I think it's emasculating for him. Years ago this tough looking hipster dude would push a stroller (and baby) around town and stop for a coffee at our favorite coffee shop. He got a lot of attention because the stroller had flames painted on the side. Flames!!

So I figured if I could add some flames to Henry's roost, he'll be okay. Man it up for the bird, you know! LL Cool Rooster at your service!!!

 

[Birdinhand]

yay, sounds like he is progressing quickly! as for heat and all, perhaps it's time to turn off the heat source in his room and begin acclimating him to the outdoors again? I don't know how long it will take for him to grow in enough feathers, but I wouldn't be all that surprised if he's got enough and just needs to be eased into it for his metabolism to switch to winter mode.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

yay, sounds like he is progressing quickly! as for heat and all, perhaps it's time to turn off the heat source in his room and begin acclimating him to the outdoors again? I don't know how long it will take for him to grow in enough feathers, but I wouldn't be all that surprised if he's got enough and just needs to be eased into it for his metabolism to switch to winter mode.

He often strays from the Brinsea warmer during the night, probably because whenever he poops he has to stand up and reposition his back end. He does this every time.

That's the only heat source when I'm not in the room with him. I'll stop using it as of tonight, though. Good suggestion.

Some of the hens are molting but seem to be doing fine in the chicken coop in the colder temperatures. I think in just a few days Henry will be joining them. I may modify the brooder so can can be contained with a perch, instead of left out in the open and end up in the pooper zone under the perches.

 

[Birdinhand]

it's amazing what molting hens can withstand! there must be a reason that they wait till the wheather is cold before they molt. it's hard for us to imagine that they can handle it but it would seem that chickens are designed to be able to kick their metabolism into high gear as the weather turns and they drop some/most of their feathers. I tend to try to ease the transition because we have wild temperature swings and in doing so I've come to feel that as long as they don't get hammered by cold, particularly wind, they tend to manage through the transition. I'd turn off the heat for Henry and after a few days I'd crack the window and then in a few more days I'd stick him out there and check at midnight and see how he is fairing, maybe give him a little extra corn for some fat to burn. he sounds very well reaquanted and safe from rejection from the hens and thats a huge plus! so many little and big hurdles, once again, you have done an amazing job!

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Wow...I just read this entire heart-wrenching story from the beginning. I felt an incredible need to chime in just to try and help you in some way...but I had nothing to offer.

To all the BYC folks that did have the knowledge, offered it up immediately and held her hand through this.... * * STANDING OVATION!!! * *

@CarolinaSunshineFlock ...dang...Florence Nightingale! You are truly a good Momma Hen!

Mr. Henry...your will to live is an inspiration to us all! I firmly believe Divine Intervention indeed had a role in all of this as well... Keep going, buddy!

Mr. Coyote...count your blessings that you stalk CarolinaSunshineFlock's yard and not KettermanHillCoop's yard...because your furry butt would of met the business end of my hunting rifle...in a heartbeat.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Wow...I just read this entire heart-wrenching story from the beginning. I felt an incredible need to chime in just to try and help you in some way...but I had nothing to offer.

To all the BYC folks that did have the knowledge, offered it up immediately and held her hand through this.... * * STANDING OVATION!!! * *

@CarolinaSunshineFlock ...dang...Florence Nightingale! You are truly a good Momma Hen!

Mr. Henry...your will to live is an inspiration to us all! I firmly believe Divine Intervention indeed had a role in all of this as well... Keep going, buddy!

Mr. Coyote...count your blessings that you stalk CarolinaSunshineFlock's yard and not KettermanHillCoop's yard...because your furry butt would of met the business end of my hunting rifle...in a heartbeat.

Ha, so you're taking a break from all that leaf stomping, eh!

Well, count your blessings I've come to love moving emoticons!!!



And thank you for the kind and encouraging words!!

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Ha, so you're taking a break from all that leaf stomping, eh!

Well, count your blessings I've come to love moving emoticons!!!



And thank you for the kind and encouraging words!!

Lol...I'm giving the kids a break from new "monsters".