My friend the rooster

The other day the big rooster was attacked by one of the smaller roosters. I was so surprised because he seemed to be in charge and had often been the one to do the chasing. He was very protective of his hens.

The attack happened right in front of my place and when I went out to see what all the commotion was about I saw the big guy getting chased in a rather violent way. I did my own chasing of the the offending rooster and  then rescued the big guy from under the bush where he had tried to refuge. His head was under the branches, so I had to disentangle him and then gently lifted him from the ground. I was worried he was already dead, he wasn’t moving at all. But when I picked him up I could see he was still breathing. Perhaps in shock.

He let me just hold him, not resisting at all, so that is just what I did, sat down on the step and just let him rest on my lap. I waited until he was breathing normally, his mouth now shut, and then I just gently put him on the ground in front of me. He was in no hurry to leave so I stayed too. After a bit I got him a corn bun and fed him hoping it would help him gain some strength back. He stayed for awhile and when I went inside to get something, returning to the door, he was gone. He had been standing there watching me and then as soon as I turned my back he walked away. I tried to find him because I was still worried he was injured even though there was no outward sign of this.

I have watched for him each day, usually a daily appearance is made by him and his hens mornings and afternoons. But while I saw all the other chickens and roosters, he was no where to be seen, and I had feared the worst. It made me sad because he has become a bit of an icon for me since arriving. So I was missing him quite a bit.

Today around 12:30 I was working inside because it has been raining steady since yesterday afternoon. Something caught my eye and so I turned towards the door to see my friend the rooster waiting patiently for me to notice him. He didn’t make a sound, his beautiful tail feathers no longer gracing his body, but looking like his old self at least on the outside. I fed him a corn bun and he graciously accepted it, quietly eating while I sat with him. When I came back from my lunch it was to find him still here at my door waiting for my return. I think he is not quite his full boisterous self yet, not vocalizing his presence as he was quite fond of doing in the past.

I am not sure where he has been hiding, but I am so glad he is here and is ok.

I found it amazing that this once so proud and strong rooster had fallen seemingly so easy. Although I had not seen the whole fight I am sure. They had probably been running around the other side of the cabins for awhile and I just didn’t hear them. But when I thought about it later I realized size it not important when there are cruel intentions motivating the actions. I had been thinking about this while on my run realizing that we must never judge a book by it’s cover not even with roosters 🙂 I also realized how easily one can get attached to something even when trying not to. My time here is drawing to an end and I will miss all my little buddies!!!