A couple years ago I lost my old black rooster to old age.  I say it was certainly old age because he made it to the ripe old age of 13.  He was terribly mean and ill tempered all of his life.  I carried a stick to hold him at bay for many years.  I still loved and respected him though.  Everytime I go the chicken house I think of him.  I was just wondering if anyone else has had a chicken stick around that long.

I moved back to WV and kind of inherited him and a few hens from my mother.  They were a couple years old at the time.  I think the were black australorps, I am not a hundred percent though. I have to admit I wasn't to interested in chickens so I let him free range.  He sort of became a yard ornament and chose to sleep in the woodhouse.  I always fed him scratch grains and table scraps.  He even figured out how to open my dog's automatic feeder.  He was always interesting to have around and gave the mailman fits if he had to come up to the house.  The UPS lady didn't take any crap and threatened to put the boot to  him.  I think she was one of the few people he really did fear, I never asked why because I didn't want to know.  He was a good rooster and I do miss him.  I now have a giant white cochin named Runt who won't even defend himself from the little new hampshire red hens.  He is not much fun.  My old black rooster did manage to leave me with three of his daughters.  One is named Mean,  it fits.