OK....it's a holiday...I don't have to get up at 5am.....I like to sleep in on weekends....I don't really consider 7:00am LATE, when we're talking "sleeping in", but apparently KELLOGG (photo at right) was PO'd! He didn't get out of the coop at the expected early hour that he has become accustomed to! OMG....it was all of 8:15 am when I went to the barn to open the coop for the day. AND DID I SEE ANY GRATITUDE???? NO-O-O-O-O!!!!! The little bastard attacked me! And NOT just once! I noticed him get that "look" in his eye....like Buddy used to.....and KNEW he was psyching himself up to get me. I had stopped bringing my walkin' stick with me after Buddy left, thinking I would no longer need it! Boy, was I wrong! Just like Buddy, Kellogg tried to use the "sneak up from behind" method....but I'm wise to that trick. I saw him coming & turned just in time to land a good solid kick to his chest. Didn't phase him.....rubber boots don't pack much of a whollop, ya know? I knew there was a heavy hoe handle up at the barn entrance (that was a good 200 ft away!) so as I headed back to get it, Kellogg stalked me the entire trip....displaying threatening postures & mumbling chicken curse words under his breath. Once I reached the hoe handle & started back, the fight was on!! He came at me with a vengeance...feathers all puffed out & spurs a shinin'. I used the hoe handle to ward him off. Poked him in the chest with it, each time he came at me. I think he must've called some sort of truce, as he finally wandered off. I was relieved that I didn't really have to HURT him....and that he hadn't actually hurt ME. I then went outside into the yard to see if all the babies had made it out....DANGED IF HE DIDN'T COME AT ME AGAIN! This time, I truly think he was out for blood. We went three rounds. I walked away the champion....this time! I think he now knows that I mean business & will NOT tolerate this sort of treatment from him....or any OTHER rooster! I also think he is the vindictive type. He was rather humiliated to lose three rounds in front of all the girls....and oh, they were all watching intently! Especially when I turned that hoe handle into a baseball bat and dared him to try one more time!
I'm really shocked and surprised that Kellogg would treat me this way. I have been nothing but NICE to him.....giving him preferential treatment and choosing HIM to be the "keeper" when I found new homes for the other 4 roosters. I have to go back to the barn this evening to close the coop. This time, I'll be ready for him if he tries it again. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. The whole time he was in "attack mode" this morning, he was putting himself between me and the hens. Maybe he's become just a little TOO overprotective where they are concerned. Or, maybe my bright hot pink shirt, denim capris, sunshades & 'updo' disturbed him. Maybe he didn't recognize me.....or maybe he doesn't like hot pink! Either way.....I may just change clothes before my evening trip to the barn. If he attacks again, I'll know it had nothing to do with my outfit....and everything to to with his ATTITUDE! Guess I'll have to clue him in that I don't HAVE to have a rooster in order to enjoy my chickens.....and still have eggs! He may have convinced himself that he is indispensable. He's in for a very rude awakening, if that's the case!
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