About four months ago, the doorbell rang. When I answered, the municipal animal control officer was at my door with the question: "Do you have a rooster?" I had five. One of the reasons I got my banties in the first place was so I could hear roosters crowing in my own back yard.
Well, a neighbor, who from the time he moved in three years ago, for some reason, has never liked anything about me, called City Hall, claiming that a rooster of mine was keeping him awake all night (not exactly the truth, because, although they crowed a lot, there was none from dusk until about four in the morning. Which, I understand, could be disturbing, but that’s not the same as all night). So, five roos went to our local animal shelter.
The same day, I discovered two hens brooding clutches of eggs. About twelve weeks ago, they hatched thirteen chicks, seven of which turned out to be roosters. One is the silver-head in the accompanying photo, taken two days ago.
This morning, Silver Head, along with seven others, mostly roosters, went to bring the nourishment and the joy of fried chicken to a family I know. They are living on an inadequate income, and know how to slaughter, dress, and cook chicken.
So, I am left with a total of eight bantams. I retained the best-looking young rooster. My reasoning went like this: This is twice the neighbor has called City Hall to complain about me (the first time, about my Native Plant Landscaping). I have no desire to deliberately offend or aggravate him. However, I do want to be able to see a rooster in the backyard, and hear him crow. While I don’t want to annoy the man across the street, neither will I let him rule my life.
This time I have only one roo, not a chorus of five, so there should be much less crowing. What I hope is that the fellow will have grown tired of calling City Hall, and will tolerate Rooster Joe (Joseph, because of his coat of many colors [See the accompanying photo.]). If the AC officer comes calling on me again, Joe will have to provide my friends with another small meal of fried chicken. But until the officer shows up, I’m keeping and enjoying Joe.
The AC officer is a real nice guy who understands, but must do his duty when a complaint comes in. I understand, and he understands.
Please tell me if you think I have a social obligation to the neighborhood to establish a more socially acceptable lawn, and to drop the idea of keeping a rooster.
About four months ago, the doorbell rang. When I answered, the municipal animal control officer was at my door with the question: "Do you have a rooster?" I had five. One of the reasons I got my banties in the first place was so I could hear roosters crowing in my own back yard.
Well, a neighbor, who from the time he moved in three years ago, for some reason, has never liked anything about me, called City Hall, claiming that a rooster of mine was keeping him awake all night (not exactly the truth, because, although they crowed a lot, there was none from dusk until about four in the morning. Which, I understand, could be disturbing, but that’s not the same as all night). So, five roos went to our local animal shelter.
The same day, I discovered two hens brooding clutches of eggs. About twelve weeks ago, they hatched thirteen chicks, seven of which turned out to be roosters. One is the silver-head in the accompanying photo, taken two days ago.
This morning, Silver Head, along with seven others, mostly roosters, went to bring the nourishment and the joy of fried chicken to a family I know. They are living on an inadequate income, and know how to slaughter, dress, and cook chicken.
So, I am left with a total of eight bantams. I retained the best-looking young rooster. My reasoning went like this: This is twice the neighbor has called City Hall to complain about me (the first time, about my Native Plant Landscaping). I have no desire to deliberately offend or aggravate him. However, I do want to be able to see a rooster in the backyard, and hear him crow. While I don’t want to annoy the man across the street, neither will I let him rule my life.
This time I have only one roo, not a chorus of five, so there should be much less crowing. What I hope is that the fellow will have grown tired of calling City Hall, and will tolerate Rooster Joe (Joseph, because of his coat of many colors [See the accompanying photo.]). If the AC officer comes calling on me again, Joe will have to provide my friends with another small meal of fried chicken. But until the officer shows up, I’m keeping and enjoying Joe.
The AC officer is a real nice guy who understands, but must do his duty when a complaint comes in. I understand, and he understands.
Please tell me if you think I have a social obligation to the neighborhood to establish a more socially acceptable lawn, and to drop the idea of keeping a rooster.
1 comment:
I had tried to comment on an earlier blog when you first mentioned the problem with the roosters. I came home from school (second or third grade) to find my mother and a neighbor dressing our chickens for the pan and freezer. I had named each one of them. I was charged with feeding, watering and the daily gathering of eggs. But, the city does have its rules and regulations and someone had complained.
I live only a few blocks from you, however, too far to hear your rooster. I would enjoy the sound.
On a similar note: last fall, radio waves finally reached Camp Billy Gibbons, our Boy Scout Camp about fifteen miles south of Richland Springs. I have enjoyed camping there for four decades and find the blaring radio to be noise that hides the natural beauty of nature’s music. Fortunately, cell phones still do not work there.
And if your yard is keeping your neighbor awake at night, it must be all of the coffee grounds in the mulch?
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