Rod's Final Roost

We are faced with decisions pertaining to animal welfare quite often around here.
And I am happy to say that most times we get it right.

Baby Rod Stewart 2009
Once in a great while, however, we wish we could get a "do-over".
This weekend presented us with one of those times...
a time when our decision did not work out well.

Rod Stewart 2010
We lost Rod Stewart this weekend.
Our four year old Polish crested rooster disappeared...
most likely to the wiles of a nighttime predator.


Sadly, I can only say that it was our fault.
If only we could turn back the hands of time.


We would have waded deep into the brush, through poison ivy,
over multiple dead tree trunks and limbs to snatch ole Rod from his
nighttime perch to gently place him into the safety of the henhouse.


But alas, we decided to stop fighting him...
to allow him his so-desired freedom,
and let him roost where he chose.


It was a bad decision.
The first night was fine... lulling us into a false sense of security.
The second night...
Rod disappeared.

Dear Rod...
you were a funny rooster,
your actions as wacky as your looks!
May you roost in peace.

Comments

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said…
Ugh, don't you hate when that happens? But you were letting him live as he chose.

Question.. do you look your hens inside the COOP at night? Or just in the wired run? I'm debating letting them have run of the "run"... but I've been told raccoons, etc. can get through chicken wire. :(

July 29, 2013 at 5:47 AM
daisy g said…
Oh, so sorry you lost a friend. At least he went out in his own way.
July 29, 2013 at 8:07 AM
Anke said…
I'm so sorry to hear about Rod. :-( We lost Elvis (the chicken) this weekend and I can imagine how you feel.
July 29, 2013 at 8:36 AM
Junebug said…
RIP Rod Stewart. Saturday morning my girls were telling me I hadn't let them out to play. They didn't understand that they needed to stay in and be safe for I wasn't going to be home Saturday night. All is well for this morning they were doing the happy dance as I let them out. And I am glad they avoided night predators while I was gone, Hugs!
July 29, 2013 at 9:03 AM
Denise at Autumn Sky said…
Aw, I am so sorry to hear that. It's so hard to lose one of them, especially one that is a favorite. One of our hens died yesterday morning, which I was expecting, and I've had to adjust my nightly count from 16 to 15.

RIP Rod the Roo.
July 29, 2013 at 9:06 AM
Kellie from Indiana said…
So sorry! Rod was my favorite.
July 29, 2013 at 9:36 AM
This N That said…
So sad, so sorry..He stood out in the crowd..I would say it was his choice but he didn't know what he was choosing..He'll be missed..
July 29, 2013 at 9:38 AM
Anonymous said…
I'm so sorry to hear this. Don't be so hard on yourself. It's hard to convince those roosters to come in when they don't want to. I had one rooster free range perfectly fine for two years, so it could easily have gone the other way.
July 29, 2013 at 10:20 AM
vlb5757 said…
Losing a pet is always hard. I am sorry about Rod. He was a handsome boy. I have never seen that breed before. I am getting a great chicken education here. lol!
July 29, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Susannah said…
Such is life on a farm. I will miss Rod. He was different and kind of cute!
July 29, 2013 at 12:25 PM
Country Gal said…
Sorry for your loss of Rod ! These things happen it is all part of farm life !
July 29, 2013 at 12:41 PM
Anonymous said…
Oh gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about Rod. What a great looking rooster he was! Will you get another like him? Thanks for sharing the great pictures of him. :o(
July 29, 2013 at 6:03 PM
From Beyond My Kitchen Window said…
You have created a wonderful environment for all your animals. I'm so sorry to hear about Rod. Unfortunately for Rod he felt happiest when he was free.
July 29, 2013 at 8:57 PM
Lynne said…
Ahhh . . . sad to hear. Perfect Rod Stewart look alike!
July 29, 2013 at 11:14 PM
Unknown said…
Awww, so sorry to hear that poor Rod is gone. I know you will miss him!
August 3, 2013 at 10:01 AM
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