Fairfields
Hatching
- Feb 6, 2020
- 1
- 3
- 3
So, here's my story. I live with a large, brave, loyal, six year old rooster.
Okay, wait... There is a back story. Six years ago a man who was a monster died suddenly, leaving behind 20 chickens. He was so hated nobody would even care for the animals, and I ended up being one of the neighbors asked if I would take some. I knew nothing at all about chickens, but they were in such poor circumstances I said yes. I found myself in possession of 2 roosters and 8 hens. By and by four more were born into my flock. My neighbor hated them, and after four years of him terrorising me in ways too outrageous to be believed, I found someone to adopt the flock.
All but Jeremy.
Jeremy is a beautiful sunset colored copper Maran - or the best I can reckon. He was manfighter when he came to me. How I tamed him is a story I may tell another day. Suffice to say, the adopter was unable to replicate my results and would not keep him.
So I had a chicken, but no pen, no coop, no supplies, and no one to keep him warm in a northeast December.
There was only one option. He moved into the house with me.
I figured he would mourn for his hens and die of loneliness in such unfamiliar circumstances.
But no. He fully acclimated. Now, two years later, he sleeps curled up beside me on the bed, sits on my lap, follows me absolutely everywhere, plays with the cats, and gets very irritated if anyone ever visits.
Diapers were too small for him, so I created what I call his receptacle. I also have a harness and leash for him so we can go for walks. He seems not to mind car rides, but who can tell? He's super nosy, always needing to know what I'm doing, and constantly peck-testing everything. He "talks" all the time, and even adjusted to the late mornings of my second-shift life. Without question, it is a bad idea to keep a chicken inside, and I'd never recommend anyone do it. There's a whole slew of negatives. But we've made the best of it, and I consider him to be a good friend and a peerless companion.
I'd like to take a trip this spring. I don't normally consider taking animals with me, because as much as I love them and miss them horribly they're just happier and safer at home. But there's a degree of difficulty in caring for Jeremy, which I don't think I'd want to inflict on anyone, and he is very deeply attached to me. And so, that's what brings me here tonight. I'm looking for advice or suggestions for traveling with a chicken, and perhaps stories from others who have done it. While most of it would be driving, sightseeing, and staying in campsites, obviously he would be accompanying me everywhere. I've decided it would be safer for me to carry him in something like a baby sling or push him in a covered stroller rather than walk him on the leash. Would a calm rooster in a baby sling be permitted in a store? Do campsites allow chickens? Can I walk a chicken in town? Is this the worst possible idea? These are the questions I'll have to find out.
Let's discuss.
PS, everyone likes to be warm and cozy.
Okay, wait... There is a back story. Six years ago a man who was a monster died suddenly, leaving behind 20 chickens. He was so hated nobody would even care for the animals, and I ended up being one of the neighbors asked if I would take some. I knew nothing at all about chickens, but they were in such poor circumstances I said yes. I found myself in possession of 2 roosters and 8 hens. By and by four more were born into my flock. My neighbor hated them, and after four years of him terrorising me in ways too outrageous to be believed, I found someone to adopt the flock.
All but Jeremy.
Jeremy is a beautiful sunset colored copper Maran - or the best I can reckon. He was manfighter when he came to me. How I tamed him is a story I may tell another day. Suffice to say, the adopter was unable to replicate my results and would not keep him.
So I had a chicken, but no pen, no coop, no supplies, and no one to keep him warm in a northeast December.
There was only one option. He moved into the house with me.
I figured he would mourn for his hens and die of loneliness in such unfamiliar circumstances.
But no. He fully acclimated. Now, two years later, he sleeps curled up beside me on the bed, sits on my lap, follows me absolutely everywhere, plays with the cats, and gets very irritated if anyone ever visits.
Diapers were too small for him, so I created what I call his receptacle. I also have a harness and leash for him so we can go for walks. He seems not to mind car rides, but who can tell? He's super nosy, always needing to know what I'm doing, and constantly peck-testing everything. He "talks" all the time, and even adjusted to the late mornings of my second-shift life. Without question, it is a bad idea to keep a chicken inside, and I'd never recommend anyone do it. There's a whole slew of negatives. But we've made the best of it, and I consider him to be a good friend and a peerless companion.
I'd like to take a trip this spring. I don't normally consider taking animals with me, because as much as I love them and miss them horribly they're just happier and safer at home. But there's a degree of difficulty in caring for Jeremy, which I don't think I'd want to inflict on anyone, and he is very deeply attached to me. And so, that's what brings me here tonight. I'm looking for advice or suggestions for traveling with a chicken, and perhaps stories from others who have done it. While most of it would be driving, sightseeing, and staying in campsites, obviously he would be accompanying me everywhere. I've decided it would be safer for me to carry him in something like a baby sling or push him in a covered stroller rather than walk him on the leash. Would a calm rooster in a baby sling be permitted in a store? Do campsites allow chickens? Can I walk a chicken in town? Is this the worst possible idea? These are the questions I'll have to find out.
Let's discuss.
PS, everyone likes to be warm and cozy.
