We said goodbye to our old Brahma rooster, Paul Bunyan this weekend. He was the best rooster I’ve ever had, always gentle with people and respectful to the hens. He was my farm sidekick through thick and thin, following along with me through some big life transitions and three moves over the last few years. He started the mornings off with his crowing from my homestead in Elmira to the cottage at Empty Gate Farm, to my McKenzie River homestead. We buried him on a sunny hillside he used to frequent beneath the grape vines. It seemed like a fitting resting place for a good rooster.
Paul Bunyan wore his namesake well, towering over all the other chickens nearly twice as tall. He was actually supposed to be a Buff Orpington hen from the feed store, and really surprised me when he outgrew all the other chicks in that batch and began letting out a low, howling crow in the morning. You can read his story here: He Goes By Paul Bunyan
When I finally got my flock of chickens back with me after leaving my Elmira homestead, I will never forget waking up that first morning and hearing his low crowing across the garden from the chicken coop. It made things feel right with the world. I was so happy, I shared strawberries from my birthday shortcake as a welcome home treat. I wrote a little bit about that here:
Til the Chicken Comes Home
Til the Chicken Comes Home
One thing I always appreciated was how kind and considerate Paul was towards the ladies. He will certainly be remembered among the flock as a good listener. One morning in particular, he seemed to be lending a helpful ear to our Speckled Sussex, and I caught a few photos: Chicken Chats.
Paul Bunyan will be a hard act to follow, but out of the brood of chicks Ms. Frizzle is raising, some of the bantams are bound to be male. So the circle of life continues.
It’s been good homesteading with you, Paul Bunyan. Rest easy old friend.
What happened to the big guy? I noticed he was not that old, so sad!!! My fave rooster got attacked by the hawk! Sometimes I do not like those mean ole hawks!!
He was about 4 years old, and I think his size made his body age faster. He got pretty beat up by a younger rooster a couple months ago (that rooster was gone ASAP) and has been slowly winding down since. It was just his time.
Sorry!
Thanks Faith. His quality of life was starting to decline, so I am glad he's having a peaceful time now.