21/03/2026
The King is dead. Long live the Queen...
Samwise Gamgee, who managed to encompass all the characteristics of that fictional character and sneak across the 'food-line' which separates the house-pets and those destined for the pot, passed away last week and I was gutted. A dignified death at the vet (I swore I would be practical about these things when I started 'chickening' - I was wrong) and full burial in the rain.
We now have a rooster-vacuum after 4 years and it's been interesting observing the dynamics of the flock. When we got the initial batch of 10 hens, they were left to their own devices - it was generally more relaxed with each doing their own thing, although an alpha would stand at the coop door and do a headcount at bedtime. There was definitely more fighting, even once hierachies were established, especially when new hens were introduced.
When our first rooster, Roo, was introduced in 2022, it gave us endless amusement watching him trying round up the ladies for bedtime. It was like a teenage boy trying to tell Mom's book club on their 2nd bottle of wine, that it was past their bedtime.
Eventually however, a new rhythm was established and there was a new normal. Roo sired Sam and was moved on due to his vitriolic hatred of our eldest daughter (we don't know what he thought she had done but, as far as he was concerned, she 'done him wrong' and there would be retribution!)
Sam was special. He hummed when you sang to him. Played hide and seek. Crowed on cue when telesales calls came in. Danced for you and brought you 'treats'. And he was a good rooster with the ladies - offered them the best treats, fiercely defended them against danger (real and perceived)... and put them to bed without a fuss before the sun went down.
One week without a rooster and the ladies are back to fighting. And it's not pretty. Hierachies are being fought for, established and toppled in a day. Most interestingly however, one of the older ladies has started crowing! A couple of times in the morning and then again at bedtime. Seems they miss him almost as much as I do. Chickens continue to surprise me.
