Within minutes of Otis being gone, sweet little Roscoe turned into the demon rooster. It’s around dusk when the chickens go into their coops but Friday night, the bantams were in their coop by 6 p.m., several hours before dark. We figured they were missing Otis or just the change had them frustrated. Saturday morning they wouldn’t come out of the coop and when they did, Roscoe chased them all and was so mean to Thelma, the Silky rooster. He was constantly chasing Louise and Tiffany. They mostly stayed in the coop because he seemed to leave them alone in there.
This morning, they wouldn’t come out of the coop at all. Vince finally got them out and Roscoe started the same thing – chasing them, cornering them, attacking Thelma so . . Vince went into capture him and because he loves to fly .. Roscoe – not Vince, he (Roscoe, not Vince) flew straight up through one little opening in the run and he ran around in the woods for a while. Then he ventured back into the yard where the black roosters gave him a taste of his own medicine. He squealed like a baby (Roscoe, not Vince). Vince said he could figure out how to survive and Vince would try to find a home for him on Monday but I suggested putting him in the garden. It’s fenced and there are lots of bugs out there.
I think he was happy to be away from the black roosters but soon he was searching for a way out of the garden.
There had to be a way out somewhere but he just couldn’t find it. Last time I checked on him, he was over in the weeds past the strawberries. There are plenty of bugs out there, and he has food and water and Vince fixed him up a shelter.
He still isn’t happy about being in there but what he doesn’t understand is his other option is worse!
Back in the bantam condo, Thelma, Louise and Tiffany are perfectly happy. Thelma will do what roosters do to make baby chickens but they all get along so well and they’re so happy without Roscoe and Otis. I wish things had worked out differently but . . nature can be cruel and mean sometimes. We have no place for mean roosters . . and I hope that black one that came at me this morning which his feathers all ruffled up . . I hope he eats really well for the next few weeks because as soon as we have a bit of fall weather, I’m so ready for chicken gumbo!
Terri says
I love the “(Roscoe, not Vince)” notations!! I love your chicken stories. And while you and your chickens (and Vince too!) are very entertaining, I was so glad I didn’t have any.
Then…….
DH and our son have a coop being built, son and dil have baby chicks in their garage and we had to go to the fair last night to check out the chickens! And goats! Woe is me…….. 🙂
So in a few weeks we will have darned chickens. No idea what kind, whatever the farm store had left this late. But I’m pretty sure I saw DH taking note of phone numbers of the kids that are trying to sell their fair chickens.
Susan says
Again, you made me laugh. Chicken antics! I have friends who have only chickens, and you are the only one who has roosters, I think. My aunt always told me never to have chickens! LOL!
Lynn says
Like you said Judy that is the nature of roosters. My mother raised chickens for meat and for eggs and the roosters all were in the freezer before maturity most of the time. I remember once her leaving one to mature and he was just mean and would chase my sisters and brothers and I and peck at us or try to rake our legs with the spurs on his feet. He drew blood more than once before he ended up in the stock pot. My mother always got her chicks each year from a breeder so had no need for a rooster.
Linda in TX says
I don’t believe I ever saw a rooster when I was a kid – even though I grew up in the country. I think that as soon as the roosters started acting like roosters, they became Sunday dinner. I do love your chicken stories! (and your ‘Roscoe not Vince’ notations1)
Marla says
My mom stopped raising chickens after they moved from the farm about 2 weeks before I was born so I don’t know from experience but….I think I remember her saying you could not keep chickens and roosters together after they matured, only for need to make new chickens. 🙂 Sure has been enteraining to watch yours though!
lynne quinsland says
there is such a strong natural order to god’s creatures and boy howdy is there ever strength in pecking order…..we see it in humanity as well, but we call it pecking order because of the strength of it in chickens–since otis was gone, roscoe sure did rise to attempt to be alpha rooster yeah? funny how “strong” he actually is when given the opportunity. watching my kids (i have 11 of them) with their pecking order sure is fun and really hilarious when one of the youngers gets to be “rooster” when his olders are not around to keep him in place–like a totally different kid.
i have been making buffalo chicken soup lately–even with as hot as it is the kids want it–and if your roosters need a recipe, i would be happy to share LOL
we had chickens for forever and i love the all is right with my world presence that they bring with their gentle clucking and pecking. even loved having one rooster while we had him, but he sure knew that i was terrified of him and he let me know it. he was wonderful with the kids though–just not me.
hey, as a quilty note, where can i get ahold of your big stars pattern?
Diana W. says
Buffalo chicken soup sounds awesome. I would love the recipe.
Jojo says
Bad Roscoe…LOL Banished from his harem! LOL
Anne G says
I must admit, I love hearing about your chickens. And I LOVE the pictures.
carolyn says
LOL I love the chicken stories…. I think I might like them better than your quilting posts…. AND I LOVE those…. I’ve had rooster b4 it was tough… gumbo would probably work…