"This Close!"

I've killed lots of chickens in my life but never a rooster! And all my chicken killing was done with great enthusiasm but always with the good honest intent of eating them after they were dead. Today I came 'this close' to killing a rooster out of pure hatred. I turned my back for one second and the bastard attacked my Kylie. I couldn't believe it. For some reason he has gotten much more agressive over the last few weeks and yet I was still shocked when he came after her. And when I then proceeded to put the boots to him he started coming on to me with beak and claws. Ky had 2 gouges on her legs which he delivered right through the fabric of her pants with his feet. Fortunately Miguette was there to remind me how stupid these animals are, and that it probably wasn't gonna teach him anything, and so I let him be. What was in my heart though was not teaching him something, it was killing him. So he lives for another day, but I do have a call into the chicken man to see what's up? Perhaps it's normal behaviour and if so I'm gonna teach Kylie how to take a stick in there and to learn not to trust him. I don't want her to have to be afraid. After all, as I expressed the other day fear is a powerful and potentially debilitating emotion.

Of course like most negative events this one also had it's sunny side. Hearing Colby laughing as I delivered my brief rhetorical message to the rooster was somehow a joyous sound. His mom of course politely reminded us that beating a defenseless animal was perhaps not that funny. However, being boys we only stopped laughing on the outside! The rooster should also be grateful that Kylie's dad wasn't there because right or wrong, if you know my son, you would also know that 'Roosty' would be very dead by now! I admit also that in my younger years it would have felt very good to see how far I could have punted him.

But for now I guess, after having calmed down I'm glad he's still alive. And I do admit that his crowing is a marvelous relaxing kind of sound. Perhaps there are things we can do to change his protective instincts. Perhaps letting them out to wander the yard might help, but again we'll see what Uncle Terry the chicken man has to say.

Oh!....just got the call back from the chicken man. He says they need to learn who's boss! In other words, who's the biggest cock in the henhouse! Kylie and I will work on that when I get back from San Diego. I suppose I have a slight advantage over her.

And yah...back on the road for a few days so expect some airplane ramblings over the next few days.

And off topic. Thanks for the great stories Mary. It feels damn good to be proud of your old man and your big sister all in one day!

“Rooster today, feather duster tomorrow"---Russian Proverb

“It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs."---Margaret Thatcher

love
peter