I knew something was wrong when I didn’t hear Mr. Rue crowing this morning. When I finally got up and went outside, the door to their coop had been unlatched and was standing wide open, with Mr. Rue and Chamomile gone.
Then I saw the feather trail…which led me to Mr. Rue’s body where his head had been completely torn off and was missing. Chamomile was nowhere to be found. Either the predator had taken Chamie and Mr. Rue had tried to defend her the whole way to the edge of the woods, (and, as a result sacrificed his life for it) or, the predator killed both of them intentionally early on and dragged Mr. Rue’s body to the edge of the woods, only eating the head. Rosemary and her chicks, thankfully, are okay.
I am devastated. Poor Mr. Rue was the sweetest rooster and very kind to his girls. He was a fierce and loyal protector and provider for them. I will miss him dearly.
Instead of showing you the graphic photos I took from this morning, I thought I’d share with you some happy memories of Mr. Rue:
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| a younger Mr. Rue, leading his girls |
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| an adolescent Mr. Rue, getting some cuddle time |
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| Mr. Rue was always very alert; in this picture his tail feathers hadn’t fully grown in yet |
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| Mr. Rue proudly showing off how he balances on the porch railing |
Megan! I'm so sorry! It's hard enough to experience the death of an animal, but I can't imagine witnessing seeing what you have…Hugs.
Camille
Megan! I'm so sorry! It's hard enough to experience the death of an animal, but I can't imagine witnessing seeing what you have…Hugs.
Camille
Megan! I'm so sorry! It's hard enough to experience the death of an animal, but I can't imagine witnessing seeing what you have…Hugs.
Camille
I'm so sorry! I know how easy it is to be so attached to your birds. Warm condolences from Texas.
I'm so sorry! I know how easy it is to be so attached to your birds. Warm condolences from Texas.
I'm so sorry! I know how easy it is to be so attached to your birds. Warm condolences from Texas.
Aw, I'm so sorry to read this. I wonder how the stinkin' predator got in?!? Mr. Rue was quite a handsome fellow.
Aw, I'm so sorry to read this. I wonder how the stinkin' predator got in?!? Mr. Rue was quite a handsome fellow.
Aw, I'm so sorry to read this. I wonder how the stinkin' predator got in?!? Mr. Rue was quite a handsome fellow.
Thank you all for your kind sympathies. We are suspecting a raccoon because apparently they have paws like hands and can unlatch doors. A lot of people in this area have trouble with raccoons; we've just been lucky up to this point. Needless to say, we will be putting locks on our coop doors and reinforcing them.
Thank you all for your kind sympathies. We are suspecting a raccoon because apparently they have paws like hands and can unlatch doors. A lot of people in this area have trouble with raccoons; we've just been lucky up to this point. Needless to say, we will be putting locks on our coop doors and reinforcing them.
Thank you all for your kind sympathies. We are suspecting a raccoon because apparently they have paws like hands and can unlatch doors. A lot of people in this area have trouble with raccoons; we've just been lucky up to this point. Needless to say, we will be putting locks on our coop doors and reinforcing them.
So so very, very sorry – I know you are grieving. I tried to call you last night and tonight – give me a call.
So so very, very sorry – I know you are grieving. I tried to call you last night and tonight – give me a call.
So so very, very sorry – I know you are grieving. I tried to call you last night and tonight – give me a call.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mr. Rue was very handsome.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mr. Rue was very handsome.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mr. Rue was very handsome.