Rooster Saved My Whole Flock

[Tytsofie]

I wish I had a digital photo of my favorite rooster Nathan, but this was before the time of iPhones. He was a silver laced Wyandotte who was kind to me, the hens, and all the little kids who always wanted to pet him. I was very lucky. I had three roos at that time, and around 30 hens. Nathan was about 6 years old when I came out to the coop in the morning, and saw three dead raccoons. Laid near the dead raccoons was also a dead Nathan. They had entered the coop, and it seems as if Nathan chased them out and gored them. All of my hens and 2 remaining roos were safe inside the coop, huddled together and very visibly uncomfortable and upset. I bawled my eyes out, and we had a funeral for him and his courage. To any new chicken folks who are worried about predators, there are tons of things you can do structure wise to keep them at bay. But in my opinion, my roosters have always been there for the flock in times when I can’t.

 

[Pretty Birds]

I wish I had a digital photo of my favorite rooster Nathan, but this was before the time of iPhones. He was a silver laced Wyandotte who was kind to me, the hens, and all the little kids who always wanted to pet him. I was very lucky. I had three roos at that time, and around 30 hens. Nathan was about 6 years old when I came out to the coop in the morning, and saw three dead raccoons. Laid near the dead raccoons was also a dead Nathan. They had entered the coop, and it seems as if Nathan chased them out and gored them. All of my hens and 2 remaining roos were safe inside the coop, huddled together and very visibly uncomfortable and upset. I bawled my eyes out, and we had a funeral for him and his courage. To any new chicken folks who are worried about predators, there are tons of things you can do structure wise to keep them at bay. But in my opinion, my roosters have always been there for the flock in times when I can’t.

Amazing story. That was a very loyal rooster.

 

[cmom]

He was special. Not all birds are that special. I had an owl get into a coop and kill several birds. My male must have fought it. When I went out and saw the carnage, he and two females were still alive. He was covered in blood and one of the females comb was damaged and bloody. I moved them to another coop and pen and he was really freaking out when I moved them, they survived.

 

[Tytsofie]

He was special. Not all birds are that special. I had an owl get into a coop and kill several birds. My male must have fought it. When I went out and saw the carnage, he and two females were still alive. He was covered in blood and one of the females comb was damaged and bloody. I moved them to another coop and pen and he was really freaking out when I moved them, they survived.

Oh my gosh that is so traumatizing i’m sorry for your loss. Owls are so scary. The chickens are lucky to have you take good care of them, I have neighbors down the road who treat their chickens like they’re disposable.

 

[no fly zone]

I hope to have a rooster half as good as Nathan some day.

 

[viennaproto]

What an awesome story.

 

[Egg Snatcher]

Awesom story. You had one sweet rooster.

 

[NightingaleJen]

What a marvellous roo Nathan was. Don't blame you a bit for giving him an honourable send-off.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I love good roosters. I hope you were able to collect and hatch some of his eggs.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

That’s an amazing rooster you had! Some just aren’t like that and are chickens and run away! Thank you for sharing the story of your amazing rooster!