Wilbur Flies the coop, Over Rainbow Bridge....

Hello dear friends and fellow bloggers,

It with a heavy heart I share with you all the sad news that our boy Wilbur the Barnevelder Rooster died today, Friday 13th January 2012.

Although Yollie tried her best and did everything she could to try save Will, he lost his fight in the early hours of this morning.  We are not sure what happened to him, or why he fell so ill so suddenly.  It has been horribly hot here over the last few weeks and although every effort (ice bricks in water, water sprays over birds, shaded areas and wet blankets to cool air down) is made to minimise heat stress, it is still a possibility.

Some of you may remember Will's story but for those of you new to our Blog, here it is, but now with his final chapter too.

Wilbur, one day old hatchling (27/11/10)

Will was hatched right here at Fairy Castle Farm on 26th November 2010, he was the last chicken to hatch of 8, our runt.
Tinkerbelle hatched him, although she was his surrogate mum (he came to us as a fertilised egg from another farm) he had different ideas of his own.
The very morning after he was hatched Yollie and Miss Princess found him on the cold floor of the nesting area. He had fallen out of the nest and was lying cold and stiff on the ground, there was no sound.
Miss Princess began to cry, the sight was most disturbing.  He was all stretched out stiff and cold. To protect her girl from the image Yollie quickly scooped him up and held her to her breast whilst consoling her.
After a few minutes, the crying had stopped Yollie was explaining to her girl that as horrible as it was to see their little chick 'dead' it was a part of raising little chickens that not everyone makes it.  As Yollie spoke still holding Will against her and away from her daughters view, she felt something.
She did not want to give her girl any false sense of hope, yet at the same time she wanted to see if the bird was in fact still alive, she suggested they go inside.  Her little girl started crying again, not wanting to leave her chick.  Just then Yollie was sure that the chick definitely moved.  She told her girl to stop crying as they needed to go inside as soon as possible, because the little chick had moved!!
Over the next four house they both worked solidly warming and rehydrating him. Will responded beautifully, he went from strength to strength and never looking back.

That was his story, his fight for survival and second chance at life.  Today however suddenly and with great sadness the final chapter also needs writing -
The Final Chapter:
  Will's rocky start and extra handling meant he became imprinted to his human 'mums' forming a very close bond.

  He learnt to chirp so they could communicate and he enjoyed a wonderful chick-hood of mischief and adventure.  He was a special guy, our 'Will-Bill' our 'Wilbur' our mate.

He thought himself more a human or bunny (his second adoptive family) than Chook anyday!  As he grew he developed into a strapping young Cockerel, loved by all.

Will was never aggressive, never rude he was a gentle soul and fair fowl. Loved nothing more than 'cuddletime' with his adoptive "mum'.  He would walk over, bok low down in his throat, then look and Yollie and she would know....

Deep in thought - at his happiest, with his Yollie

Preening Yollie!

 Soon he had grown into adulthood, he ruled the roost. Just quietly, he ruled to warren too, us bunnies loved his 'eagle eyes' and loud alarm in the event of any predators being present!

Sweetie and baby Wilbur hanging out together, playing

The hens respected him and accepted him as their mate. He fathered 11 chicks, 7 of which still live with us today.  He always kept a close eye on his chicks, never needing to be separated as he never posed a risk. He happily undertook 'mother-hen' duties, proudly parading his flock and teaching his young how to find the best grubs and morsels of food.  He versed them in the language of lagomorphs and human, such a clever boy he was. Quick to diffuse a spat and impart a calming air, a stress free flock a wonder to share.  It is here his story is cut too short, a life just begun but now come to an end. Yollie tried, cried and tried, and then cried lots and lots more.... but for all her efforts Will would be no more, he just could not get out of this mess.
So to our Wilbur we say; Goodbye, farewell - oh how we all loved you, you will live in our hearts and memory forever. Fly free over Rainbow bridge, until we meet again.

RIP Wilbur, 2010-2012.

With great sorrow,

Sweetie xoxox