I caught a loose Rooster, someone apparently dropped off in the small town of Lewes. He would run from everyone, eat & scratch up their gardens & crow. He crowed a lot...that's what they told me. One of the neighbors, a grumpy man, said he was going to make chicken stew if he could ever catch that little big mouth. The rooster had been chased around for days, so he knew people were something to be avoided. I knew I'd need more than a net, and camping out til he roosted at dusk was not an option. I went home & got a carrier & my big Barred Rock Roo, Rocky & headed to town. I found the young, fast red rooster, he had established himself a nice sized turf, of several back yards & a vacant lot with a lot of trees & shrubs. I brought my Rocky out, he stood there all puffed up & proud. The little red Roo saw him, stood there all wide eyed & long necked, his interest peaked. By now, we had quite an audience, as this was taking place in a cluster of closely built homes, in their back yards. The Roosters stared at each other, then Rocky slowly walked towards the red, reminiscent of an old west gun fight in the middle of main street at high noon. The tension was building, as each Rooster took another step, then another. When they were about 10 feet apart, they started a "bob & weave" motion while all puffed up, & they began to walk sideways, following an imaginary circle. They were staring intently into each other eyes, not even blinking. It was at this point, I was able to quietly move up near them. They were focused, just about to spar, or still thinking about who would kick 1st, when I quickly scooped up the red Rooster & tucked him under my arm & simultaneously stuck 1 foot out as Rocky jumped up and chest butted the bottom of my muck boot. Yes, I know Rocky's movements well, it's actually a game we've played often. Anyway...I stuck the red Roo into a carrier, scooped up Rocky & put him in his carrier & the whole event was over. The neighbors all clapped. They were pleased that they would be able to sleep in again, without the Red Rooster alarm clock at 5am.
I named the Red Roo Vagabond. He is still alive & well today.