Danny Boy

Each spring the goal is a straight run of pullets- in other words, all lady chicks. Roosters serve a purpose in a coop but aren’t necessary for egg production and more than one can cause a real problem. The last three years, Big Red has been the gentle protector of the flock. The tall, dark, and handsome type. A true ladies man. 

I’m no pro at sexing chicks, but you hit a point mid summer where it becomes pretty clear. Attempted cock-a-doodling and awkward advances. Think teenage boys hitting puberty. I caught on to Danny’s manliness pretty early on. He’s a Bantam and, when full grown, will be just 1/4 of the size of Big Red. He is all fancy and flair, despite his tiny stature. This bold personality literally saved his tail feathers. 

There were no plans to keep an additional rooster. But Danny is something special. He confidently dances around the run, courting and cooing at the ladies. He’s easy going, always respectfully allowing me to dote on him. 

He made the cut, or didn’t. 

Danny: the one that made the cut...or didn’t.