Why have a rooster? new Pg 10 video pg 13

[equinehugger3]

What a brave, gorgeous boy! I'm keeping my rooster, now, for sure, we lost one hen to a weasel, rigt about when our rooster hatched, and I thought about keeping him, but now it's final

 

[speckledhen]

Neither Cetawin nor I would tell you that all rooster stories would turn out so well. We know the odds are against it. So far, I've been very fortunate not to have had a predator loss in the going-on six years of having poultry, but my number will be up one day. I do free range my separate groups alternately, each with its own rooster on duty.

Your rooster is your first line of defense; that is his job, why most of us have them. Odds are he will most likely lose his life, no matter how valiantly he fights, especially against a large predator such as a coyote or fox. If Cetawin hadn't been alert with firearm in hand that day, we would probably be eulogizing Lancelot. That doesn't take away from the amazing way he handled the situation, the obvious thought process he went through, the decisions he made when the lives of his girls were in danger. We still marvel at why he didn't just stand where he was, stock still, and hope the coyote left, but drew her far away from where the flock was hiding, didn't hide himself, but decided to deal with her in his own way. That showed something was going on in his brain, that a true decision was made. I've always said that chickens are not as stupid as some people seem to think they are. Gosh, I wish we could ask him if losing Hera to that same yote a couple of weeks prior played into his decision to fight rather than hide.

My own Isaac has always tried to get the girls to safety first and hasn't had to use his fighting skills (well, he likes to fight with Suede at the fence, the doofus) to protect the flock. I would expect that to be the priority, to push them to safety and to keep himself safe as well, unless he was forced to fight. I still don't know what he would do if a predator had one of his girls down and he was able to get to her, may never know; of course, the best situation is for him to never be put in that situation.

 

[Cetawin]

You know that is funny you mention that about Ike. I have been wondering if when the fox was standing on Ruby and Lancelot was running amuck gathering girls and shuttling them under the deck...if I had not ran down the stairs at that very moment...would he have charged the fox alone or stayed and protected the girls? I mean as far as he could assume, Ruby was gone or most likely...I thought she was dead when I saw her and the fox standing on her. I mean she was not fighting or struggling or making a sound at that point. She had clearly put up a good fight until that point by the feather trail. I was really surprised when I kicked the fox off of her and she jumped up and ran. But as it was, maybe it was timing and Lancelot was going for the charge when I reached the bottom of steps and he merely accompanied me down there to her. I do not know but I do know this....he is sooooooooooo not happy with me right now. They have been confined for (today is day 4) 3 days. He is not a happy camper.

And yes I had a conversation with him explaining why...I told him we have been lucky twice and third time may be the charm for the predator and I cannot stand the thought of losing him or any of my girls...he is still upset with me. *sigh* He is such a smart boy...upset as he is still is, he still let me rub him chest and wattles this morning...yesterday he would not let me touch him.

 

[Froghorn]

Nice story. I loved my rooster Omar. I cried when he broke his neck trying to fly into a nesting box. I have to tell you, We live in a coyote, wolf, hawk, bear, skunk, coon, eagle, fox, weasel, or fisher just to name a few country area and there isn't one of these critters that would think twice about killing your rooster and doing it at full stride. Even if something stood up to them. Unless of course a dog or human. I have never seen one of these animals stop for anything yet. They don't stalk. Only pounce. Maybe there was something wrong with the coyote. I can't believe your critters are different from the ones here. Loved your story though!

 

[discoveregg]

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Omar sounds wonderful

. What breed was he?

 

[Cetawin]

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That is why the coyote laid there and waited when it grabbed my cochin...three humans were outside amongst the chickens, the minute we weren't, she grabbed my girl.

As to the day I shot her....I cannot say because I did not see her until she came around the corner trying to attack my rooster. Lancelot saw her prior to that but I never did. Coyotes here stalk only in that they make sure there are not dogs and humans that can get them...and then they charge. But never think the will not lie in wait watching you milling out with the birds and wait for you to get inside or far enough away for them to jump. They will in a heartbeat lie in wait and stalk.

 

[confusedturtle]

Wow thank you for posting this story, it makes me want to keep my little roo even more. We dont have a ton of predators here but there are some. The only reason we would get rid of him is if we absolutely have to. Chickens aren't legal (yet) in this area so Im really worried about having a rooster, otherwise I would keep him without question.

 

[Cetawin]

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After having my great boys, I really do not think I would ever live somewhere that I could not have them. They are just so valuable to the flock and to me.

 

[anderson8505]

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I have five currently...and have yet to have one harm a hen...nor have I had them fighting each other. A couple pecking order disputes but no fighting. I would say that is not "many" beating up their hens but more like a few or some. There are buttheads in every species.

Well said! And great story!

 

[Leecie]

Great story made a tear come. I love my roosters and unfourtunatly have to give them up. They are totally protective of my girls. I can't even imagine my life without their crazy antics. They are the best entertainment value. I could sit and watch them for hours!