I'm worried about this little guy

[Blue in a Red State]

Well, he's really not very little and he's been wandering around on our property for a couple of days now. It's heavily wooded, so I've only heard him until today when he strutted in front of the den windows. No near neighbor that I'm aware of keeps chickens and I haven't heard a single rooster crowing since we moved out here four and a half years ago.

We've got a fenced back yard and I've been wondering if I could somehow corral him into it to spare him from the local fox and coyote populations. He was a little skittish and darted off when I tried to talk to him this afternoon. Then again, there's a small pigeon hawk monitoring our backyard birdfeeders these days and I wouldn't care to see some interaction there.

He's really quite beautiful and healthy, there's no covenance concerning poultry where we are, and I rather enjoy the sound of a rooster crowing. Any ideas on what I should do should he show up again?

[Dookus]

1. I dunno...

put out some feed and see if he'll hang around? He's beautiful.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

2. I'd make sure he was fed and watered.

I'd also put a "lost" ad in the paper.
I'd get him into the fenced area too.
I wish him luck!

[PinkTiger]

3. Looks to me like a game chicken.

Probably run off by another rooster.

To keep him all you have to do is feed him corn chops every day. Just get some at the feed store (looks like cracked corn kernels) and say, "Here chick! Chick! Chick!" over and over while you scatter the chops. He'll come running and stick around.

He needs a coop to sleep in. You can try to build one, but more than likely he will roost in the trees.

Good luck!

[alphafemale]

6. Check your local ordinances 1st - but build a coop, get him some hens and

you won't have to buy eggs for quite awhile. :D

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. Nothing like a good rooster or chicken picture to lift the spirits!

I would hope that he is a tough old bird and can fend off attacks!

[MADem]

5. Fine looking sumbitch!

He'd be king of the roost in the right circumstances! Give him some feed, lead him to a pen, make him feel loved, and keep him! Find him some galpals, and he is yours forever! Plus, you get some good eggs at the end of the day.

Hope ya round him up...I'd take him myself if I could!

[NV Whino]

7. Food, water and night time protection is the key

It's fun to have chickens around, particularly handsome roosters. Some can be very agressive, but some can be quite good companions. Not to mention good supervisors when you are doing yard work.

[Crunchy Frog]

8. You could see if you have a farm animal rescue

group in your area that could take him. If you keep him, you'll probably have to build a safe enclosure for him so he doesn't end up getting eaten by something.

Cute little guy. They have alot of personality too.

[Vanje]

9. Lucky You! You have a new rooster!

Some years ago a fine big rooster (A Wyandotte, according to illustrations in books), strayed into my yard.
I fed him grain to keep him near.
At dusk he perched on a fence. Later that same evening I surprised him with a flashlight. He stayed calm and still while I caught him and put him into a coop with some comely hens.

He's quite old now, and struts with a slight limp. He has moved with me from Oregon to Idaho. He has sired generations of chicks from barred rock hens, rhodeIsland red hens, Hampshire hens, and big brahman hens.

[Robeson]

10. Be sweet to him, and keep him....

...he'll make a great friend!

[Blue in a Red State]

11. Thanks, all!

Unfortunately, I haven't seen or heard him at all today, but it's rainy so maybe he's just holed up in a tree or something. If I see him, I'm going to try the "chick, chick, chick" suggestion. We named him "Red Whiskey" last night, so I hope he returns to claim his fine name. If not, I think I just might have to get me a rooster like that and a couple of hens to keep him company. Or a peacock. :)

His photo seems to have gone AWOL as well, so here he is again:

[PROGRESSIVE1]

12. .