This morning I woke to the sound of someone moaning. At first I thought it was my granddaughter having a bad dream , but then I remembered that I had been given a rooster last night and put him in with the new hens who had been in residence for a day. After a couple of months in a chicken free environment, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing so I bought 6 pullets. The first part of the first day, they refused to leave the coop, then 3 of them refused to go back in. I spent some time with a flashlight looking for the roosting locations they preferred and found 2 of them on a ladder and the third under a bush near the house. They appear to know that the big house the humans live in is more desirable than their own so I thought a rooster would help them figure it out. Around here, you only need to say the word and people are showering you with free roosters. I chose a 2 year old Wyandotte, because I had heard they were docile to humans and after having a huge personality who eschewed docility, it sounded pretty good. I was not ready for the voice though. It isn't a conventional crowing sound, more like a long hoot. I am happy to note that there is now a conversation going on between Mr. Woosta and the girls, they were completely silent or only barely whispering amongst themselves until he came and I missed eavesdropping on their gossip and opinions.
