Animals
I won't bore you by telling this whole tale from the beginning. But I will summarize for those of you who are new to my blog. This past summer I ordered 25 fancy chicks. I also ordered a very colorful rooster chick (enter Hank).
As the chicks matured, it became apparent that one of the white Polish crested hens was actually a rooster (enter Rod Stewart...aptly named for the resemblance).....
(copyright Getty Images)
I think, quite possibly that the real Rod looks more like a chicken than my Rod!
Well, as the two roosters matured, we had to separate them. Hank was beating up Rod. Hank is a bully. Rod is a bit of a wimp. So, Rod lived in the hayloft of the barn and had free run around the barn... a perfect life except for the lack of female companionship. Hank remained with the hens; becoming quite possessive of them.
Life seemed calm with this arrangement until just recently. You might remember that Hank attacked Hubbs last week. Well, I found out later that Hank had attacked Anna, while she was caring for the farm during our vacation last month. Then to top it all off, Hank attacked me last week.
Then, this weekend, TomTom the barn kitty started tormenting poor Rod...chasing him all over the hay loft. It was evident that something had to be done about both of these situations.
We only had one choice. Hank (being the bully that he is and able to handle TomTom's playfulness) was removed from the henhouse and moved into the barn. Rod was placed back into the henhouse. Notice how perky he looks here!
Now Hank lives in the hayloft and will have the run of the farm in a few days, once he has established a roosting place somewhere in the barn (that way he will return to the barn each night to sleep.) Hank will have no trouble putting TomTom in his place, should he get a bit too playful.
Hank spent the better part of today checking out the barn and investigating. He seems happy with his new home. Rod was in heaven....and spent the day fraternizing with the hens....quite happily!!
Notice that although Hank is quite a handsome rooster, he is looking a little ragged these days. He is molting right now and has lost a good deal of the feathers around his tail. Thankfully, he will grow them back in the coming months.
Let's hope this most recent rooster re-arrangement is the last of its kind!
- Who's Who....part 5
Years ago, when we decided to have hens for eggs,we made it a point to avoid roosters.We bought our hens as chicks at the feed store.And all were hens. And there was peace on the farm. The next summer, we decided to increase our flock;and ordered 25...
- Happy Hank
I am writing this post for those of you who worried that a bachelor's life would be too stressful for Hank, the rooster. Ever since he has been banished from the fancy chicken's henhouse (you don't bite the hand that feeds you!), he...
- Tyrannosaurus Hank
Did you know that scientists have analyzed the DNA found in the skeletal remains of the Tyrannosaurus Rex and found that the modern day animal that has the most similar DNA is the chicken?? It's true! And after this weekend, Hubbs will...
- King Of The Hill
Rod seems to have adapted to living in the barn quite nicely. He has claimed the hayloft as his kingdom and reigns from high atop the hay pile. Each night he climbs high up to his throne... and each morning, stands and crows from his lofty chamber. If...
- What To Do About Rod!
Well, the routine with Rod Stewart has been the same each day. Every morning, as the sun rises....I open the door to the fancy chickens' coop so that they can spend the day in their yard. As the door opens, they all rush out, with the exception of...
Animals
The Rooster Saga Continues (And Happy Birthday Hubbs!!!)
I won't bore you by telling this whole tale from the beginning. But I will summarize for those of you who are new to my blog. This past summer I ordered 25 fancy chicks. I also ordered a very colorful rooster chick (enter Hank).
(copyright Getty Images)
I think, quite possibly that the real Rod looks more like a chicken than my Rod!
Well, as the two roosters matured, we had to separate them. Hank was beating up Rod. Hank is a bully. Rod is a bit of a wimp. So, Rod lived in the hayloft of the barn and had free run around the barn... a perfect life except for the lack of female companionship. Hank remained with the hens; becoming quite possessive of them.
Life seemed calm with this arrangement until just recently. You might remember that Hank attacked Hubbs last week. Well, I found out later that Hank had attacked Anna, while she was caring for the farm during our vacation last month. Then to top it all off, Hank attacked me last week.
Then, this weekend, TomTom the barn kitty started tormenting poor Rod...chasing him all over the hay loft. It was evident that something had to be done about both of these situations.
We only had one choice. Hank (being the bully that he is and able to handle TomTom's playfulness) was removed from the henhouse and moved into the barn. Rod was placed back into the henhouse. Notice how perky he looks here!
Now Hank lives in the hayloft and will have the run of the farm in a few days, once he has established a roosting place somewhere in the barn (that way he will return to the barn each night to sleep.) Hank will have no trouble putting TomTom in his place, should he get a bit too playful.
Let's hope this most recent rooster re-arrangement is the last of its kind!
- Who's Who....part 5
Years ago, when we decided to have hens for eggs,we made it a point to avoid roosters.We bought our hens as chicks at the feed store.And all were hens. And there was peace on the farm. The next summer, we decided to increase our flock;and ordered 25...
- Happy Hank
I am writing this post for those of you who worried that a bachelor's life would be too stressful for Hank, the rooster. Ever since he has been banished from the fancy chicken's henhouse (you don't bite the hand that feeds you!), he...
- Tyrannosaurus Hank
Did you know that scientists have analyzed the DNA found in the skeletal remains of the Tyrannosaurus Rex and found that the modern day animal that has the most similar DNA is the chicken?? It's true! And after this weekend, Hubbs will...
- King Of The Hill
Rod seems to have adapted to living in the barn quite nicely. He has claimed the hayloft as his kingdom and reigns from high atop the hay pile. Each night he climbs high up to his throne... and each morning, stands and crows from his lofty chamber. If...
- What To Do About Rod!
Well, the routine with Rod Stewart has been the same each day. Every morning, as the sun rises....I open the door to the fancy chickens' coop so that they can spend the day in their yard. As the door opens, they all rush out, with the exception of...