I come here because no one else gets it!

[BigBlueHen53]

Wish everyone could have a rooster like that! Mine's close and looks a lot like him but has a rose comb. He's about 3 years old also. I almost named him Big Red, but he insisted his name is Rojo el Magnifico! (Basically Spanish for Big Red but he has a very high opinion of himself ). May your memories of your special boy be a comfort to you. You and your flock were blessed to have had him. And yes, we do understand.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Hello,
I had an excellent Rooster, Big Red. He was gentle to a degree, unless you interfered with his job. He loved special rides occasionally in your arms and grubs he would find in my pocket. He took his job serious and had 12 beautiful hens to watch as they free ranged. He was big and solid with long talons, beautiful guy. One rainy day the storm was getting serious and the rain was beginning to pelt down. His hens were afraid to leave the edge of the woods and separated. He was panicked to gather them up. He would get one following, lightening would crack and she would run. He was running back and forth at top speed in the rain, he was soaked. After 10 min I went to help when I got out there he just went limp as I picked him up he was so exhausted. He would have died helping his hens. He was respectful and did the proper chicken dance( often). He was bossy and no one misbehaved when he said danger overhead. They would hide, he would stand visible in the orchard baiting the predator. My dogs knew that voice so they would run to help.
I found Red on the floor of his coop a few mornings ago. I don’t know what happened. He was 3. It has hit me really hard and no one here gets it. I miss seeing him, hearing his big crow in the morning, his beauty around my yard and his running up to get picked up and carried around. He was a really good rooster.View attachment 3964843

Sounds like he was a great chicken friend and a perfect rooster. Many of us here really do get it! Hugs

 

[fluffycrow]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Roosters are so amazing. Some leave this earth way too early. Unfortunately your gorgeous boy was one of them. I've had a few of my own pass before their time, it is definitely a hard thing to go through. His hens, his favourite hens especially, must be missing him a lot too. Once again, I am so sorry for your loss

 

[Dominique King]

I can feel you pain @KCShaw
My family and I lost THE family favorite chicken.
She was saved from being culled and turned into broth.
And she was loved a lot in her 6 long yrs of life.
She died last week so we are still hurting.
She was our only Buff Orpington and she was the only brightly colored hen in our flock so we miss seeing her.
I am sorry for your loss.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Hello,
I had an excellent Rooster, Big Red. He was gentle to a degree, unless you interfered with his job. He loved special rides occasionally in your arms and grubs he would find in my pocket. He took his job serious and had 12 beautiful hens to watch as they free ranged. He was big and solid with long talons, beautiful guy. One rainy day the storm was getting serious and the rain was beginning to pelt down. His hens were afraid to leave the edge of the woods and separated. He was panicked to gather them up. He would get one following, lightening would crack and she would run. He was running back and forth at top speed in the rain, he was soaked. After 10 min I went to help when I got out there he just went limp as I picked him up he was so exhausted. He would have died helping his hens. He was respectful and did the proper chicken dance( often). He was bossy and no one misbehaved when he said danger overhead. They would hide, he would stand visible in the orchard baiting the predator. My dogs knew that voice so they would run to help.
I found Red on the floor of his coop a few mornings ago. I don’t know what happened. He was 3. It has hit me really hard and no one here gets it. I miss seeing him, hearing his big crow in the morning, his beauty around my yard and his running up to get picked up and carried around. He was a really good rooster.View attachment 3964843

I'm sorry for your loss, he sounded like an amazing and sweet chicken.

 

[KCShaw]

Hello,
I had an excellent Rooster, Big Red. He was gentle to a degree, unless you interfered with his job. He loved special rides occasionally in your arms and grubs he would find in my pocket. He took his job serious and had 12 beautiful hens to watch as they free ranged. He was big and solid with long talons, beautiful guy. One rainy day the storm was getting serious and the rain was beginning to pelt down. His hens were afraid to leave the edge of the woods and separated. He was panicked to gather them up. He would get one following, lightening would crack and she would run. He was running back and forth at top speed in the rain, he was soaked. After 10 min I went to help when I got out there he just went limp as I picked him up he was so exhausted. He would have died helping his hens. He was respectful and did the proper chicken dance( often). He was bossy and no one misbehaved when he said danger overhead. They would hide, he would stand visible in the orchard baiting the predator. My dogs knew that voice so they would run to help.
I found Red on the floor of his coop a few mornings ago. I don’t know what happened. He was 3. It has hit me really hard and no one here gets it. I miss seeing him, hearing his big crow in the morning, his beauty around my yard and his running up to get picked up and carried around. He was a really good rooster.View attachment 3964843

This is Red with his girls

 

[KCShaw]

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

This is Red with his girls

Oh Red!!

 

[TeresaW]

Hugs What a beautiful story, I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[alinas2010]

I’m so sorry for your loss. When I was reading about Big Red, I was dreading the ending. I hope there is a small shred of comfort for you to be here sharing him with us. He sounded like a wonderful guy to have around. Hoping you have some of his offspring around or can find an unwanted rooster who makes your heart swell just as large when the time is right