A Tale of Love, Lust and Violence

It seems Spring has arrived early at Spring Rock.  One not so young man's fancy has definitely turned to love.  The problem is this middle aged man is Phoenix my beautiful red rooster.  For those of you who don't remember Phoenix he is a gorgeous boy who was hand raised by my daughter in law Savannah's mum and little brother and sister.  Once Phoenix hit puberty he became a problem.  He challenged anyone he thought he could bully when they came outside and he found he could bully everyone.  Phoenix intended to be head rooster and claim all the chooks for himself - he's not a sharer.

Phoenix surveying his kingdom

It was decided that Phoenix needed a good home and the best home for deranged pets was obviously here with me.  Phoenix arrived in a box held gently by two loving children who were sad to see him go, but wanted access to their outside toys and yard again.  Phoenix decided he liked the upgrade in girls (most of our hens were full size Isa Browns at that time while Silkies abounded at his old home) and immediately tried to put Graeme and me in our places.  Trouble was we refused to move down the totem pole and install Phoenix at the top so Phoenix turned his attentions to our old black rooster, Eros.  It soon became apparent that Eros was a lover not a fighter and Phoenix thought his spot  as top rooster was assured, all he needed to do was rid the world of Eros, who the chooks made clear they preferred.  Eros ended up wedged in between the laying box and shelter wall on a few occasions while Phoenix attacked from the rear.  I decided drastic action needed to be taken.

Before Phoenix could put his world domination plans into practice I asked Graeme to build a yard within the chook yard to house Phoenix.  He was installed in this yard as soon as it was finished and eventually settled down and became the gentle soul I came to love.  He decided that if he couldn't have a feathered harem he'd content himself with a harem of one very large featherless hen (me).  Each day he'd do his special rooster dance for me before I picked him up and sat him on my knee.  He'd sit there and discuss his day until I discovered he loved having his comb and wattles stroked.  Phoenix would go into a state of bliss and thus our days passed quietly.  I was able to let him out each day with the rest of the chooks for a scratch and peck around the back yard.  The only problem arose when lock up time came.  If Phoenix got into the chook yard first he'd stand at the gate and allow the hens in, but not Eros.  I overcame this problem very simply.  When it came time to lock everyone up again I'd call Phoenix who would come running.  I'd then pick him up and we'd round up the chooks and ducks and once everyone was in the chook yard, I'd install Phoenix in his private quarters. Peace reigned supreme.

Sadly, Eros eventually succumbed to old age and died.  I allowed Phoenix to join the girls once more.  I'm sad to say this went to his head and he once again attacked anyone who came near his girls, myself included!   I have the scars on my legs to prove it.  Phoenix was once again confined to the bachelor quarters, but although he still enjoys comb and wattle rubs, he's never settled down to the point where I can let him out with the rest of the chooks.

Eventually I bought five Faverolle pullets and a Faverolle cockerel.  The girls were far too similar in markings to be given individual names so they became known as The French Girls.   The cockerel was named d'Artagnan.  d'Artagnan grew into a gentle, friendly rooster and basically ignored The French Girls until recently.  What happened recently? 

           Faverolle rooster very similar to d'Artangan

The Faverolle chooks have started to lay at last.  I bought them before Christmas last year and 20 weeks is supposed to be the age when chooks begin laying.  My French Girls just refused to begin laying, enjoying their childhood to the full extent.  Graeme wasn't impressed when we had to buy layer pellets for the girls and a dozen eggs for ourselves, once the three Silkies finally took a holiday from egg production.  I looked Faverolles up on the internet and found that the girls are supposed to be good winter layers.  These girls obviously hadn't read the article, or were waiting for the cold to truly set in.  Now that they are into egg laying production I've discovered they lay pinkish coloured eggs which look quite pretty.  

The French Girls in their younger, pre-egg laying days

Phoenix, continues to live by himself in the bachelor quarters - or he should live in the bachelor's quarters.  He is regularly getting out somehow and settling in amongst the newly fertile girls.  Poor old d'Artagnan is no match for the feisty Phoenix.  

I am constantly catching Phoenix and putting him back in the bachelor quarters where he simply begins plotting his next escape, while trying to chat up the girls through the wire with his sexy rooster dance. Sadly the girls all flock to watch this performance and heap clucking compliments on the dancer. This only encourages Phoenix to escape once more so he can show the girls the true beauty of his dance without the ugly wire to distract them or hinder him.

Last night I discovered him with the girls once again. I put him back in the bachelor quarters once more and I felt very mean indeed. He was snuggled in amongst the girls, ready for a good night's sleep so he could get ready to bash up d'Artagnan in the morning. d'Artagnan had found himself a lonely roosting spot some distance from the cosy scene. Phoenix looked so warm and cuddly, but I picked him up and put him back in solitary confinement anyway. I learned my lesson a few weeks back when I thought he looked too warm and comfortable to move for the night. At a very cold day break Phoenix got stuck into poor d'Artagnan and a rescue party had to be quickly put together to save the gentle French fellow. I was out there amongst the frost in my pyjamas and dressing gown shivering away as I caught the recalcitrant Phoenix and put him back where he belonged.

Phoenix is a gentle soul himself when he doesn't have a harem to look after. He's an absolute devil when he's got one or more hens to boost his ego.