The oldest patriarch on the field is Stanley.
He is at least seven years old and could be as old as eight, we have no way of knowing, as he arrived back in 2007 unwanted, from a farm way up in the hills.
During his time in Trelawnyd, he has been a hard working and dedicated alpha male. He has watched over his hens with a dedication that bordered on obsession, and has proved his worth time and time again in the maintainance of a bitchslapping free population.
Cockerels are instrumental in keeping the peace amongst bullying and argumentative hens
But the ravages of time have taken their toll and slowly and surely the old guy has turned into Jaques from AS YOU LIKE IT...." Sans taste, sans eyes, sans teeth (albeit it hens' teeth).....sans everything"
He is now the old fading retainer who spends his days resting and napping by the fence and it is only a matter of time until his son Badger,the junior cockerel,takes over responsibility for the hens.
I have only realised all this today...
Luckily Badger is as good natured as his father, so no blood has been shed between the boys as yet. but I am sure it will happen when Badger realises that the old king no longer has the physical strength and motivation he used to possess.
In the meantime old Stanley continues to fade.....
and I think that after all of his hard work over the years
he deserves a few more days of peace with his face in the sun.
He's done a good job for you.
ReplyDeleteThat he has done deplores x
DeleteSometimes I feel like Stanley...
ReplyDeleteAt least you don't look like an old cock
DeleteAww, what a good man! He deserves all the joys of retirement!
ReplyDeleteI don't think he'll last to enjoy it jen
DeleteOur rooster was Ralph... he was much like Stanley. But his last days weren't so good... a young cockerel realized that Ralph was on his last legs, so to speak, and decided to rule the roost. We had to isolate Ralph with a few of his harem until he died... otherwise he would have been pecked to death by the young rooster. Kind of a sad ending to strong, proud Ralph who was dedicated to his hens. Hope Stanley has a peaceful demise.
ReplyDeleteThanks odd one
DeleteWe know you've already made him a special spa for basking. Good guys, all around.
ReplyDeleteMay the crown be passed gently.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope Staney's successor survives the badger cull - I don't think Linda's lamas will.
ReplyDeleteL - Please insert where you think fit (s).
ReplyDeleteHe looks like a lovely old boy. Perhaps I should draw him rather than a dog! Up to you....
ReplyDeleteI also hope the transition can be peaceful and that Stanley enjoys a few more sunny days before he leaves the planet.
ReplyDeleteWe're down to just an elderly cockerel now. I've resisted getting more girls to keep him company, he spends his days schmoozing with the dogs. Seems to suit him, maybe he's glad not to have the responsibility of hens.....I always thought it was more of a lavender marriage.....
ReplyDeleteLavender marriage
DeleteSuch a great phrase
Stanley, may your days be filled sunshine and food. You deserve it.
ReplyDeleteBadger, good luck.
I would say look after him John.
ReplyDeleteExcept that I know you will.
Stanley will be remembered well. Took me an hour to catch up on reading what I had missed. (Commuting and working really cuts into my reading time -- needless to say blogging too.) Sorry to hear about the loss of the RFWF.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Thanks Janet
DeleteIt's his funeral tuesday
We had a cockerel called Orpy who faded out just like Stanley is doing. He also had a son, Orpy junior, who is carrying on in his father's shoes. Orpy eventually died in the hen house one night, and was kept watch over by his favourite hens as did so. It was very moving to see their dedication to him. Wishing Stanley a peaceful end journey, and hope that Badger follows on as a strong cockerel for the hens. Keeping animals sure does tug at the heart strings John. x
ReplyDeleteI remember you writing about him Vera.....
DeleteAh bless him. He deserves a peaceful retirement.
ReplyDeleteJane x
I've just given away a one cockeral to a mate who put him in with 6 hens. They mobbed him the first morning, byt the time he got home from work he was in charge. What a great life that must be. just going round having your way with your harem!
ReplyDeleteOh Stanley, tis sad when they loose their hens and fade away. We recently lost a beautiful older Salmon Favorelle Roo ...he was fading and the young cockerels had taken his hens over. They seem to loose their will after that :(
ReplyDeleteSomehow now I am humming that street lamp song from CATS ...can't remember that name but humming the tune ... just the same sad feeling of fading .
Hope you all have a wonderful week, John. ♥
ReplyDeleteBless his little rooster heart.
ReplyDeletePoor old Stanley... will you do the 'kindest thing'?
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't look that bad as yet cro....
DeleteI may have to if he really deteriorates but for the moment I will let him stay with his girls
We currently have five cockerels, mostly living in harmony, they have the odd spat over a girl!!
ReplyDeleteTop of the roost is now Harold, he unsurped Caldwell, the Lavender Pekin Bantam cockerel when he was badly injured defending the flock and had to live in the house (our house) for a week to recover. But slowly and surely he is workinghis way up the pecking order again and is now in second place.
Life's hard with so many 'young pretenders'.
Stanley is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a handsome cockerel called Mr McCawber, he was stunning. sadly the victim of a fox attack one terrible night, it's so sad. You are doing a grand job for Stanley, and I'm sure in his chickeny way - he knows.
ReplyDeleteHope the old devil has a very happy retirement!
ReplyDelete