I called my friend who lives locally over in Cotuit.  She has a lovely farm with a menagerie of animals.  She is involved in so many wonderful organizations and she always goes above and beyond to assist animals in need.  Most recently, she has decided to raise Silkie Bantams.  The other day we were visiting and she showed my daughter her incubator and about 10 newly hatched Silkie chicks.

When I picked up the phone to call her, first day of school butterflies were fluttering about my stomach.  I had not felt this way in years!  As I waited for her to answer, my mind was bombarded.  How could I ask a friend to “take care” of my rooster?  I guess I felt badly not knowing entirely what went on between my daughter and Chocolate.  Did he give her just a warning peck that startled her or was it something more?  At some point in his future, Chocolate would most likely need to be culled if he continued on his aggressive path.  I surely could not do it; especially because I love him so. On the other hand, farmers consider their animals livestock and view their animals differently from pets.  I could not take another chance with Chocolate being aggressive toward the children.  The risks are too great.

I expressed all of my concerns.  With much patience and understanding she listened.  Then she said, “He can come live with me on the farm”.  I was so shocked.  I asked her if she was going to cull him and she said no.  “He is too beautiful, plus he is docile and gentle.  He was most likely doing his job, letting her know that those were his girls.”  My heart was overjoyed.  My eyes welled up with tears.  Chocolate’s life would continue on the farm with her Silkie Bantams.

She only asked one thing of me.  As Dolly is broody, she wanted me to let her try and have a set of chicks.  I agreed.  Yesterday, three silkies laid eggs.  Dolly had them all nestled under her breast.  I quickly removed them and penciled a number on each egg.  With each Silkie egg laid, I will place it underneath Dolly until the total reaches around 10.  Numbering the eggs will help me keep track of the eggs.  If all goes according to nature’s plan, we should have baby chicks in about 21 days.

Instead of losing the life of Chocolate, my beloved rooster, we will be creating new ones. At times like these, I am grateful for fellow chicken owners.  This journey’s rain cloud has a brilliant silver lining after all.