It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

Blue is dead. I had a love/hate relationship with him. Blue came into our lives three years ago when we ordered some chickens from Murray McMurray. The deal was that when ever you order chicks from them they throw in an exotic bird, which is their way of getting rid of roosters.

Blue was an Americuna. His first year was spent mating. I've had roosters before and I never saw one that could mate as often as Blue. He was on a different hen every minute or so; all day, every day.

He slowed down during his second year; mating only every hour or so, but this gave him more time to try to attack me. When I was outside he'd make his way to me and he'd try to ambush me. I kept a close eye on him because the moment I didn't he was in the air trying to spur me. He did catch me in the back of the boot on two occasions.

Blue was pretty noisy. Though I had gotten used to the sound of his crow, I never enjoyed hearing him scream from inside the coop three hours before day light. The neighbors must be delighted in his passing for that reason. Sometimes I'd be working out side and I could hear him crowing every few seconds for a half hour or so.

A neighbor dog took Blue and though I am upset any time one of the chickens are preyed upon by a dog, this neighbor called us and fessed up about the incident.

Blue was a beautiful bird. He kept the flock in order, but on the other hand he had a mean streak and he was noisy. I do miss him in a way, but on the other hand I'm enjoying the peace and quiet.