Hello Everyone! Usually I like to keep things light and fun, but sometimes life gets in the way.
All of you should be familiar with my 2 roosters; Chatty and Cashmere by now. For 17 months I have raised, loved and spoiled them daily. Chatty though, began to change when he got into the coop with his girls. This is normal as they become protectors instead of just the family pet. And Cashmere, as we all know has always been aggressive. Daily I have had to fight off one or the other when I go to let them and the girls out of the coop. I have been hurt so bad by the spurs that I have come close to passing out from the pain but being bull-headed I ignored it and continued on.
Well in January, I started getting sick and found a lump in my armpit that I watched. By May, it hurt and got big enough I went to the doctor. Come to find out, I had a bacterial infection, probably caused from all the daily spur and nail attacks. My 51-year-old body couldn’t handle the daily abuse and rebelled big time. Now, most people won’t think twice about getting rid of the cause, in this case 2 roosters, but for me it was very very hard just to even think about.
Finally one day, Chatty hit me so hard and fast I had to kick him across the run just to get away from him, and he still charged after me. I HAD to let them go. I have a wonderful food co-op lady, who let me bring them to her so she could get them to another woman for me. Yes, I cried the whole 30 minute drive there, with Chatty sitting next to me and Cashmere in a box in the backseat. It has been 4 days, and I still cry over what I had to do because the woman she was giving them to was going to kill them and eat them.
I tried Craigslist, but everyone wanted hens or roosters to kill. So, I was in a hard place mentally, but knew I had to give in and let it happen, though my heart was breaking. I would have not done it at all, but even separating Chatty from his girls to be in the house with me didn’t stop his attacking, whereas at one time he never attacked me away from them. Some of you will read this and think “good grief the woman is being stupid over some roosters,” but the ones who read my Blog know I raised these guys from day old chicks, spoiled them with treats and love. Chatty I had taught to walk on a lead, ride in the car with me and gave him his own chair in the dining room. So, for me, they weren’t “just” roosters, they were my pets who I adored.
Driving away and leaving them was very hard and all night I fought getting in the car and getting them back. But I also realize, I need to stay healthy for all my other pets who depend on me. I have 2 hens who live in the house because of deformities. I have a 14-year-old blind dog and a diabetic cat who all need daily care by me, and when I am sick it’s all I can do to get out of bed. So, yeah I had to make a grown-up choice, and I hated it every step of the way. I don’t see myself as someone who gives up or quits. When it comes to my animals, I will put up with a lot so they have a good safe life. Speaking of that, anyone interested in a 6-month-old biting pot belly pig?!
Until next time, have a wonderful chicken day.
