"Are you missing one of your chickens?" my neighbor called to ask. Apparently a yard bird, as we endearingly call them, was loose down the road. My girls were locked up tight but I still had to investigate. What I found was a sad sight...a poor chicken had either been hit by a car or survived an encounter with a dog. Whatever happened was not good. Disoriented, scared, and hurt, the chicken made little fuss when I picked him up. I could not detect any breaks but he was bleeding from his eyes, ears and mouth. All we could do was pray and make him comfortable.
My daughter prayed the sweetest prayer..."Dear God, one of your chickens is hurt. If he is suffering, please take him home. If he can heal and live happily, please heal him quickly. Let him know he is safe and give him peace. Thank you, God!" Melts even the coldest heart, doesn't it?!?!
We made him a bed in a pullet cage and put him on the lanai to rest. We had plans and left for the day. I prepared my children for a sober return home, knowing the chicken had little chance of recovery. Yet, when we returned, he was still alive, resting quietly without labored breath.
Covered with dried blood with his left eye barely open
As the hours passed, the chicken moved very little. I hand fed a water/Gatorade mixture every couple of hours, being sure not to get any liquid in his nostrils. His eyes weren't open and we wondered if they were crusted shut with dry blood...we gently wiped his face, eyes and ears with a damp, warm cloth. Many times he seemed listless, hanging his head with open mouth; we were certain he wouldn't make it. But he kept up the good fight. I nursed him through a few nights and the storm, keeping him warm, dry and hydrated as best I could.
Pidgeotto recovering in his pullet coop
One morning, we were awakened at 4:30am to a crowing rooster! Good morning!! The rooster, still unnamed, got moved to the chicken pen. We kept him in his pullet coop so he and the girls could safely get acquainted. We didn't want one of the ladies to peck him on the head after his trauma.
Fully recovered, Pidgeotto shows off his beautiful plumage!
After a couple of days, the rooster showed his great disdain for his cage which was now more like a cell block to him. We released him to the girls! At first, the girls were not overly hospitable and demonstrated their feelings as chickens know how. The rooster permitted the girls to vent, but only for a few brief seconds. He took a few hard pecks like a trooper, then puffed up and declared his rightful place as any rooster would.
Clockwise beginning with Pidgeotto at the top,
Gina, Honey, Phoebe, Cameron II, and Penny.
The flock is now quite happy together. The girls seem at peace, knowing they are protected. Since our original rooster, Cameron (the hero who lost his life to the dog down the street while protecting the girls), was my son's yard bird, he had the honor of naming this rooster...Pidgeotto.
For reference, Pidgeotto is a character in the anime world of Pokemon. In short, he is a large raptor-like bird known for his powerful talons, fiercely defending his territory from intruders.
Pidgeotto playing card
I see the resemblance!
