One year ago today, this holy terror of a bird broke out of a egg bought for twenty-five cents from a neighbor, one day before his only hatchmate.
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Baby Lucio, 1 yr ago
The two chicks, Paco and Lucio (named after the great Spanish flamenco guitarista Paco de Lucia), were raised by a feral broody foster mother named Cheri (after the lead singer of the seminal 1970s all-girl rock band The Runaways). Cheri rejected all offered food and raised them on a wild foraged diet. A fearsome fighter herself, she instilled her warrior spirit in the growing cockerels.
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Paco and Lucio warred with impressive acrobatic and flying skill. They didn't do much damage to each other, but put on a Kung Fu theatre worthy show.
Cheri heavily favored Paco. Strange, because Lucio resembled her much more in color and even comb type. At four months, when Paco began to crow, she protected Paco and bullied Lucio, even intervening in their battles to grab Lucio by the neck and toss him roughly aside.
Then, early one morning in March, Cheri quite abruptly died. Literally dropped dead during the morning feed. The despondent Paco wandered off. That same day, I found his body floating in a pond.
Leaving the suddenly orphaned five month old Lucio as the only male and eventual lord and master of his domain.
Long-legged, awkward and gawky, he was rejected by the younger hens at first, his only friend was Cleo, who treated him with a benign disinterest -- which was at least better than the outright disdain he received from the others.
Wanting to help this struggling youngster adjust, I introduced two pullets to the small tribe of four hens. 8 month old Rusty and 6 month old Dusty.
Rusty and Lucio immediately bonded and became inseparable. He treated for her all day long. The other hens gradually warmed to his attention. Cleo -- who up to that point had been the "acting rooster" took the budding cockerel under her wing and showed him how to inspect the coop at night before letting the others settle in.
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Lucio at 6 months old with his first crush, Rusty.
So a happy birthday wish to Lucio, now officially a rooster. And father of four healthy cockerels and one unknown so far.
You're not the easiest to handle, Lucio, with your belligerent moods and flying side kicks and two inch razor spurs. Definitely not a "good rooster for beginners" -- which is what I admittedly am. In fact, if you were a character in a movie, this is undoubtedly your signature scene.
And more than once I have lost my temper and imagined you simmering in a pot with some lovely herbs and vegetables. But you have taught me patience, and perseverance, and actually seem to be leaving your dreadful jerk phase behind as you mature.
Here's to you Lucio the Bad Mother&$#+!r you are. I won't try to change you, and I will always be wary of you, but I nurse a small hope that someday you will mellow the heck out.
Thank you for taking such stellar care of your hens. At that you truly excel. Because if you didn't, that failing would truly be your demise. I'll deal with your posturing, your flapping and psychopathic side-eye glowering -- as long as you remain generous, protective, and patient with your adoring wives. Here's to a hopefully calmer and less temperamental year.
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General Lucio the Terrible, guarding Patucha while she breakfasts.
