Requiem for a rooster

[ariadne3]

The big rooster (commonly known as "Mr. Rooster") has bit the big one. This guy survived freezing weather, a big dog carrying him home by his butt, and countless other indignities experienced by chickens who live long enough.

I went out to feed them this morning, and there was a BIG hole in the A frame chicken tractor, lined with feathers. Hm...quick count, 7 hens, no rooster. I went to get Bill, who looked for tracks, found the carcass. He thinks weasel or raccoon. We set the trap tonight, baited with lamb fat probably.

I'm bummed, he was my favorite rooster. I think he was getting up near 4 or 5 years old. Venerable bird! The other big bummer is that this means that we'll need to get another straight run of birds rather than letting the current hens sit, because the other rooster is from the same brood as all of the hens. Damn.

Comments

[fjorlief.livejournal.com]

Other than I keep thinking "dang, that was my favorite piston" I'm sorry to hear of his awful end. I don't suppose anyone you know has other Domenix (sp?) that might have a rooster....

[ariadne3.livejournal.com]

"Dang, that was my favorite rooster."

I think most of the folks in the area who have Dominicks got them from us from the last or previous brood. If previous brood, they're only hens anyhow, and it's damn hard to resuscitate the ones in the freezer.

I think we'll just end up getting a straight run again. :[