This is our rooster Grey, who, as you can see, is a very stylish grey.
Meet Grey
Someone bought Grey from a box of chicks labeled “could be male or female,” then couldn’t keep him because he turned out to be a rooster. He was about our second or third rooster.
He used to be a big scaredy-cat who ran around, hid between my legs and squawked. Then he worked his way up to number two in our laying hens’ room and was doing great. But lots of young birds came pouring in, and he seemed to get fed up. He started hiding and wasn’t doing well, so I took him home and spoiled him and he suddenly turned back into a baby.
He’s healthy again, but he’s back to hiding behind people’s feet and squawking. I used to carry him on my shoulder, even when I went shopping, and he seems to have remembered, because now he climbs onto people’s shoulders. He even moves like an old man now.
I thought Grey was a Lavender Cochin, but it seems he’s a Lemon Blue Cochin that came in the same box. The blue-grey color shows first, and people often tell me he looks dirty. He isn’t! That’s the pattern: a yellowish color comes in at around three years old, and his color changes every year. I think he’s four now. He was so tiny when he arrived, but his comb was already fully formed, which gave him away as a rooster.
Grandpa or baby?
Why so slow? He’s still a proper rooster, even if he’s all floppy. Will Grey be joining the outside team too? He’s perfectly healthy and still crows over and over when he’s in a good mood. But he’s clearly ready for a rest.
Now he’s pressing himself right into me. Apparently he’s quitting being a chicken and changing jobs to “baby.” Show a little more spirit, Grey!
Sheep next door
I introduced the goats before. Their owner, on the lot next door, has now brought sheep, flown in from Maui. There are three: the big white one is a male, and the other two are females.
Today I’m helping give herbal medicine to one sheep with a cold. First, make friends with snacks: they’ve never had hay and are still scared, so I try the no-eye-contact plan. One eats! I gently put the medicine on my hand… and the sheep without a cold goes for it. Mission failed for today. They aren’t ours, but I bring them water now and then, so I’d like to be friends.
Thanks for watching Chicken Paradise Hawaii! See you in the next episode.