When he was small
This isn’t a memorial post. Albert is still very much with us.
I witnessed the very moment he fell out of his shell. Onto his back, naturally, waving his feet in the air. He was always twice the size of the other chicks. In group photos, he’s way in the back, sticking up like a q-tip.
He eats, he sleeps on the perch at night and he cock-a-doodle-doos with the rest of them. I won’t give up until he does.
When I put let him out into the garden now, he loosens up until he seems quite normal. Sometimes he falls over when he hops up even a little way. Sometimes he has these odd fits where he puts his head down and walks backwards for a few steps.
Years ago, I had a little hen that had those fits, too. After much searching online, I found someone else with a backward-walking hen. They said it was a nutritional deficiency.
So I put vitamins in Albert’s water, but I don’t think he likes the taste. First thing he does when I let him out is go over to the communal water and drink for about ten minutes.
Sadly, I can’t give him that much time out. I have to give the other two cockerels some time in the garden, too. They’re a year older than he is and there aren’t many Summer days left in any of their little lives.
Posted: August 19th, 2024 under personal.
Comments: 3
Comments
Comment from Anonymous
Time: August 19, 2024, 8:34 pm
One can get surprisingly attached to these little dinosaurs. Ours chose to free range, wandering over about 5 acres daily collecting bugs, foraging and stealing cat food. We tried to keep them safely penned up but they weren’t having it. They’ve outsmarted the hawks, always taking cover, but we lost 3 to a pair of foxes a few years back. And another to a dog. They’re a tough crew, only 7 hens now and the rooster. I admire their self-sufficiency. They dive out of the coop in the morning, get on with their day uncomplaining and return to the coop at dusk every evening. We’ve not named them but know each one and it’s mannerisms. I think the older I get I appreciate simply being around life. And they do seem to enjoy theirs.
Comment from OldFert
Time: August 19, 2024, 9:45 pm
Sometimes he falls over when he hops up even a little way.
Shoot, I’d fall over if I tried to hop. But then I’m older than Albert.
Comment from Surly Ermine
Time: August 19, 2024, 11:07 pm
I’m the anonymous moron from the first comment.
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