Cocktails for Ducktales

Cocktails for Ducktales
By Jennifer Taylor, Animal Care Coordinator

When you go walking in the forest in Truro, you hope to see some wildlife, and
do not expect to discover a wandering, 6lb rooster. But you might, and somebody
did! After a good chase, the rooster was nabbed by a concerned citizen who
called Wild Care for help. Leah, one of our rehabilitation staff, answered the call
and told the caller to bring it in. (Leah loves chickens!)

We do not accept non-wildlife as a rule, but this happened on the weekend, when
other animal facilities are often closed. We figured we could help it if it was not
well, and then transfer it to an appropriate place, or find its owner. The rescuer
was extremely concerned about him. She even called us later in the day to offer
transport if we found him a home.

The bird was clinically healthy. No one had reported any missing roosters in the
area. Roosters are not always the “nicest” animal in the barnyard. They become
extremely aggressive protecting their hens, and often people end up abandoning
them because they cannot find them an alternative home. If that is what
happened to this fine bird, he was sure lucky to be found and brought to us.

It took Leah a few days and many phone calls, but she finally found a Rooster
Rescue in Western Massachusetts that would take him. We were all very happy
about it, although the “COCK-A- DOODLING” was really quite pleasant once he
was placed in his own room in our barn. Plus we learned that roosters also make
crazy, weird, Darth Vader type noises at night.

On her day off, Leah drove the bird many hours to his wonderful new home
where dozens of roosters currently live in harmony. Thank goodness for the
Rooster Whisperers of the world. (Photos by Leah Myrbeck)