Top Dog Rooster
Top Dog Rooster
Today, our senior rooster proved his worth.
3 or 4 days ago, we lost a BSL 3 yr. old layer to a fox attack. I questioned his worth.
Monday, we saw the fox again, only on the front corner of the property, eating something it had caught or found, probably on the other side of the road. It got away.
Today, because we were both home, we let the chickens out to roam. In the backyard, while eating some radish greens that I gave them, they seemed on watch and uneasy. I was sitting in a chair out there, too. I noticed that the rooster, Bert Sr., go back and forth from the backyard to the other side of the garage a couple of times.
Anyway, when I was in the house, I heard a ruckus from the hens. After running outside, taking a quick look around, there was Bert Sr. lying on the ground with the fox standing over him, in the same spot where the hen was killed. Of course the fox took off. I called and called for DH, to no avail, until I walked to the house and rang the loud, hanging bell. So he asked if I checked if Bert was still alive, which I hadn't because I was busy calling for him.
Bert Sr., who was laying on his side was still breathing and fully alive, popping up when DH touched him. That smart rooster was playing dead for a good 5 minutes! So we checked him over, found a couple of bite holes, and sprayed some Vetracyn on them, and put him in the pen with the others.
We did not lose a hen today. Bert Sr. did his job.
3 or 4 days ago, we lost a BSL 3 yr. old layer to a fox attack. I questioned his worth.
Monday, we saw the fox again, only on the front corner of the property, eating something it had caught or found, probably on the other side of the road. It got away.
Today, because we were both home, we let the chickens out to roam. In the backyard, while eating some radish greens that I gave them, they seemed on watch and uneasy. I was sitting in a chair out there, too. I noticed that the rooster, Bert Sr., go back and forth from the backyard to the other side of the garage a couple of times.
Anyway, when I was in the house, I heard a ruckus from the hens. After running outside, taking a quick look around, there was Bert Sr. lying on the ground with the fox standing over him, in the same spot where the hen was killed. Of course the fox took off. I called and called for DH, to no avail, until I walked to the house and rang the loud, hanging bell. So he asked if I checked if Bert was still alive, which I hadn't because I was busy calling for him.
Bert Sr., who was laying on his side was still breathing and fully alive, popping up when DH touched him. That smart rooster was playing dead for a good 5 minutes! So we checked him over, found a couple of bite holes, and sprayed some Vetracyn on them, and put him in the pen with the others.
We did not lose a hen today. Bert Sr. did his job.
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- Killerbunny
- Poultry Guru - total zen level
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Re: Top Dog Rooster
Good job Bert Sr.
1
Beltsville Small White turkeys.
Mutt chickens for eggs
RIP Stephen the BSW Tom and my coffee companion.
RIP Lucky the Very Brave Splash Wyandotte rooster.
RIP little Muppet the rescue cat.
Re: Top Dog Rooster
After one night in the pen with all the other hens and Jr., we took him out and put him in the garage. He is resting and has had water and a healthy mush of food. Time will tell.
2
- Ontario Chick
- Poultry Guru
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Re: Top Dog Rooster
Bert Sr. let out a bit of a crow this morning! More than once!
He is still not acting very perky, but it looks like he is well on the mend.
Having thought about the whole incident, I am so glad that I heard the hens and ran out. Had I not gotten out there when I did, the fox probably would have finished him off.
He is still not acting very perky, but it looks like he is well on the mend.
Having thought about the whole incident, I am so glad that I heard the hens and ran out. Had I not gotten out there when I did, the fox probably would have finished him off.
3
Re: Top Dog Rooster
Bert Sr. is out and about but walking like "an old man", stooped over.
DH said that even when he stands stooped over, it is the same posture that he has seen Bert Sr. in before he has it out with Jr.
Needless to say, it doesn't look like any of the hens and Jr. are bothering him, after he and Jr. had it out the day before yesterday.
Plus, I'm thinking he still must be sore from the attack.
DH said that even when he stands stooped over, it is the same posture that he has seen Bert Sr. in before he has it out with Jr.
Needless to say, it doesn't look like any of the hens and Jr. are bothering him, after he and Jr. had it out the day before yesterday.
Plus, I'm thinking he still must be sore from the attack.
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