• Equestrian Lifestyle
    • History
    • Culture
      • Movies
    • My Life
      • Equestrian Family
        • Twins
  • Equestrian Style
    • Riding Style
    • Equestrian Care
      • Fitness
  • Horse Care
    • Farm Life
  • Travel
    • Trail Rides
    • National
    • International
  • An Equestrian Life

  • Riding
    • F#
    • Vintage
    • Saint Simeon: “Pony Man”
  • Reviews
    • Horse Tack
  • About

An Equestrian Life

bantam rooster
Farm Life
/
February 15, 2016

The Assassination of Roopert

Roopert had ruled over his kingdom for several years. He felt secure in his position but he was always on the lookout for threats to his crown. He made sure that all who entered his kingdom knew his absolute power.

bantam rooster

“NEVER COME HERE AGAIN SHOE!!”

His main political rival had been Red. Red had appeared one day, and by birth, Red was the crown prince, owing to the fact he was the only other rooster there. But Red didn’t have any fight in him. One quick spat, and Red knew his place. Red took his two hens, one of which Roopert suspected was Red’s own daughter, and kept to himself. All the better, as Roopert didn’t want to be reminded that one of his hens had cheated on him. He could take his daughter and stay in the far end of the run. Red did mostly nothing all day, except hang out with his two hens, so Roopert was happy to just keep a distant eye on him.

Life was good. Roopert only demanded complete obedience from his hens, and they provided. When he yelled for them, they came. He gave them treats to appease them, and they were appreciative of the small favor. And when he wanted those treats, they got out of his way. Although he did notice a bit of unease in the ranks. Sometimes the hens seemed to resist his demands. He had to yell several times for them to obey. One hen in particular, Belvedere who was older than Roopert, and thrice  his size, seemed to be the ringleader. He saw her whispering with the other hens.

hen

The eye of betrayal.

She’d immediately start clucking nonsense when he approached, so he was never quite sure what she had been saying to the others. The thought of losing his crown was horrific, especially with Red in the ready to scoop it up, so he knew he had to get to the bottom of it. Luckily, there was a delicate hen, so gentle and unassertive, he knew he could find out what was going on. He had seen her with Belvedere, she surely knew what was going on.

bantam chickens

“It would be in your best interests to tell me what you know, little cochin….”

She spilled the beans. She told them about the hens being unhappy with his dominating rule, and how much they wished they they were with Red instead, who was a casual rooster and always seemed happy with his hens. Roopert was infuriated. Someone had to be punished. His initial thought was the hen who was formulating the plan, but he quickly abandoned that thought, as she was so much bigger than him, and kind of scary. He considered Red, but since Red was so peaceful and kept to himself, he knew he would would come off as the jerk, instead of Red, who clearly was the jerk. Instead, he picked Lil’ Cochin, the squealer, who was so easy to trick, it was pathetic. And just like magic, he made her disappear.

It was simple enough, really. There was a hole in the mesh around the run that the stupid humans hadn’t noticed. Lil’ Cochin loved to check things out, so he simply told her to take a look. She did, and then couldn’t get back in. She was a sitting duck for the next predator that came by.

He didn’t tell the other chickens how easy it was, just let them believe that he was powerful enough to make them disappear if he wanted. It scared them, and he knew he was triumphant.

There was just one flaw in his plan. The stupid humans were just as devastated about the loss of Lil’ Cochin, perhaps even more so than his hens. Their solution to her loss was to keep bringing in more chickens, which meant either more potential rivals, or more hens to be put in their place. Keeping his crown was going to be a lifelong battle.

They brought a group of silkies.

chicken flock

Teenage mutant ninja silkies.

Silkies were pushovers. He didn’t need to worry about them. But, as they got older, he started to wonder. 3 of them were roosters, and that was just too many. They reminded him of the raptors in Jurassic World, a movie he had totally seen, in spite of the fact he’s a rooster and doesn’t usually go to the movies. The silkies moved in a pack, and could quickly surrounded and potentially overpower a chicken. They made him uncomfortable.

In a stroke of luck, they seemed to make the humans uncomfortable as well. One day, a silkie rooster was snatched up, and carried away, never to be seen again. The only downside to this was that the humans also took some of his hens, lowering the overall ratio, and making the flock even more of a sausage fest.

He began to pick fights with the silkies. He was older, and way tougher than them, he knew. He even conducted a training montage, just like in Rocky, which he was sure would make him the overall winner in this battle of superiority. Plus, he was way better looking than they were, and had the regal bearing of a king. He was determined to hang onto his crown.

Eeeeeeeeeeeye of the tiger

It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight, risin’ up to the challenge of our rival….

At first, he quickly overpowered them, but as the roosters grew up, they turned the tables on him, and started becoming the challengers. A silkie would come up to him, and they would have a bro-down.

Link

Roopert figured that they were teenage roosters, so maybe once they learned their place all would be well. It certainly worked with Red. After a few bro-downs, it did seem to be working, the silkies stopped challenging him, and an uneasy peace came about.

But he noticed them lurking around, hanging out where they shouldn’t be. Those were his hens, why were they hanging out with them!? It was an outrage.

flock of chickens

“I can see you lurking back there!”

He wondered if he should do something. If they choose to challenge him again, it could be disastrous. Two silkie roosters against just him was a bit too much, even if he had been keeping up with his training montages. Maybe he should look for help from one of his hens. The obvious choice was Fluffers, head hen of all creation. Although she was not part of the Belvedere’s rebellion attempt, she was so independent that she rarely listened to Roopert. She just did her own thing, all the time. She was such a respected figure in the coop, he was sure she would help him.

She listened to his situation and agreed something much be done. She thought those silkies were getting too uppity, too. She said she knew of a Roman garden that would be perfect for scheming, and asked him to meet her there the following day, and they would formulate a plan. He agreed.

As he went to roost that night, another chicken brushed against him. He was shuffling to get comfortable when he heard a soft cluck. “Beware the ides of February.” He jumped, and then looked around. The chicken was gone.

The following day, he approached the garden. It was a bitterly cold morning, and more than anything he wanted to be in the coop with the other chickens, roosted together for warmth. He could distantly hear their soft clucks as they idly gossiped.

As he entered the garden, Fluffers stepped out from behind a column, and there was a moment when they both stood, just looking at each other. But suddenly, he was smashed into from both sides. It was the silkie roosters, who had also just watched Jurassic World, and learned some pretty neat moves from the raptors. Roopert knew he’d been pecked in the back.

From the darkness, a few more chickens stepped out and watched, silently. It was over as quickly as it began. The silkies roosters stepped back, and Roopert had a clear view of Fluffers, watching him.

Warning: Dramatic reenactment of chicken violence. Mature audiences only.

"Et tu, Fluffers?"

“Et tu, Fluffers?”

There was silence. As Roopert closed his eyes, and fell still, the watching hens changed their gaze to the silkie roosters. What could they expect from their new flock leaders? Could two roosters share the role of flock leader? Was this just the start of a chicken civil war?

Only time would tell.

In memory of Roopert, tiny bantam game rooster, who may or may not have been killed in an insurrection, and whose cause of death could also be contributed to a heart attack, brain aneurysm, or ball lightning. 

RIP – You will always be remembered as a tiny prick. 

 

TAGS:roosters
5 Comments
Share

You May Also Like

March 21, 2017

An Explosion of Chicks

May 31, 2019

Spring Has Sprung

June 1, 2016

Hunt Country Stable Tour Part 2

  • emma
    February 15, 2016

    is it messed up that i want a chicken caesar salad now?!? lol, rip Roopert!

    Reply
    • Courtney
      emma
      February 15, 2016

      Completely understandable! I told Dave we should have eaten him

      Reply
      • Dave
        Courtney
        February 15, 2016

        We probably still can. It hasn’t be above freezing since the discovery of his majesty…

        Reply
  • Erin
    February 25, 2016

    I’m sad but I can’t stop laughing. You need to write a book!

    Reply
    • Courtney
      Erin
      February 27, 2016

      Thank you!! And no need to be sad, he was a little jerk!

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

Previous Post
Pony Man is Undersaddle
Next Post
Product Review: Hay
Hi There, I’m

Hi There, I’m

Courtney

equestrian, blogger, photographer, creater.

My Horse Stu

All Things Riding

History

Lifestyle

Horse Care

Rönner

use code Courtney for 20% Off
product_title_1

Wanderlust Embroidered Jacket

product_title_2

Serene Quarter-Zip Equiflora Print

product_title_3

Embroidered Stirrup Linen Pillow

product_title_4

Scarlet Blazer

product_title_5

Equinox Stationery Set

Categories

The Latest Video

The Latest Video The Latest Video
Subscribe to My Channel

Recent Posts

  • Grayson Highlands pony on top of a mountain with the sun setting in the background

    Want to See Wild Horses in the Eastern United States? These Places are the Best

    November 20, 2023
  • front facing chestnut horse

    Chestnut Horse vs. Sorrel Horse: the Nuances of Red

    November 10, 2023
  • chestnut horse in snow covered pasture

    Stay Warm Riding This Winter

    November 8, 2023

Some of my links may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no charge to you. Thank you for clicking them as it really helps support this site!

Did you know I'm a photographer?! Not just any photographer, but award winning. Offering portraits, wedding and commercial work.

Check out my work.

Fashion has been inspired by equestrians for a long time, and likely a long time to come. It's a classic, beautiful look. It's form and function. It's sport and elegance. We equestrians like it, and it's nice that others appreciate it too, even if the fashion interpretation isn't always practical.

Next time you have a dirty ride, remember that even at your messiest, you're a fashion icon. You just happen to get up close and personal with dirt.

#equestrianfashion #fashion #style #horsestyle #equestrian #horses #horsegirl #riding #countrystyle #countrygirl #oldmoneylooks #horsesofinstagram
aneqlife
aneqlife
•
Follow
Fashion has been inspired by equestrians for a long time, and likely a long time to come. It's a classic, beautiful look. It's form and function. It's sport and elegance. We equestrians like it, and it's nice that others appreciate it too, even if the fashion interpretation isn't always practical. Next time you have a dirty ride, remember that even at your messiest, you're a fashion icon. You just happen to get up close and personal with dirt. #equestrianfashion #fashion #style #horsestyle #equestrian #horses #horsegirl #riding #countrystyle #countrygirl #oldmoneylooks #horsesofinstagram
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
FINALLY got some mounted photos on my boy! I can't believe it took this long, but I'm happy it finally happened. Stu loved just standing here, it was his favorite part of the whole ride. He's a good stander, and I'm a good sitter, I'm  wearing my amazing @syncequestrian breeches so I'm basically glued to him.

Thank you @nataliaornatascha you're so good at this!! 

#equestrianlife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #warmbloodsofinstagram #equestrian #ridinglife #horses #horsephotos
FINALLY got some mounted photos on my boy! I can't believe it took this long, but I'm happy it finally happened. Stu loved just standing here, it was his favorite part of the whole ride. He's a good stander, and I'm a good sitter, I'm  wearing my amazing @syncequestrian breeches so I'm basically glued to him.

Thank you @nataliaornatascha you're so good at this!! 

#equestrianlife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #warmbloodsofinstagram #equestrian #ridinglife #horses #horsephotos
aneqlife
aneqlife
•
Follow
FINALLY got some mounted photos on my boy! I can't believe it took this long, but I'm happy it finally happened. Stu loved just standing here, it was his favorite part of the whole ride. He's a good stander, and I'm a good sitter, I'm wearing my amazing @syncequestrian breeches so I'm basically glued to him. Thank you @nataliaornatascha you're so good at this!! #equestrianlife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #warmbloodsofinstagram #equestrian #ridinglife #horses #horsephotos
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
There's nothing like a summer day with horses. You may end up dirty and sweaty, but you'll never be so happy.

#horselife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #horsefarm #virginia #horsecountry #countryside #farmlife #lovehorses
There's nothing like a summer day with horses. You may end up dirty and sweaty, but you'll never be so happy.

#horselife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #horsefarm #virginia #horsecountry #countryside #farmlife #lovehorses
There's nothing like a summer day with horses. You may end up dirty and sweaty, but you'll never be so happy.

#horselife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #horsefarm #virginia #horsecountry #countryside #farmlife #lovehorses
aneqlife
aneqlife
•
Follow
There's nothing like a summer day with horses. You may end up dirty and sweaty, but you'll never be so happy. #horselife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #horsefarm #virginia #horsecountry #countryside #farmlife #lovehorses
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible!

#iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible!

#iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible!

#iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible!

#iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
aneqlife
aneqlife
•
Follow
Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible! #iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
He makes me happy but also causes confused and vacant expressions, but like, overall, pretty happy

#horsesofinstagram #horsegirl #equestrian #instahorse #horselife
aneqlife
aneqlife
•
Follow
He makes me happy but also causes confused and vacant expressions, but like, overall, pretty happy #horsesofinstagram #horsegirl #equestrian #instahorse #horselife
9 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
When you have to  guess at what your trainer said 🤷 more leg is always acceptable

#horsesofinstagram #instahorse #equestrian #horses #horselife #moreleg #ridinglesson
aneqlife
aneqlife
•
Follow
When you have to guess at what your trainer said 🤷 more leg is always acceptable #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #equestrian #horses #horselife #moreleg #ridinglesson
9 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/6
@aneqlife
  • Home
  • About
  • Affiliate Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 An Equestrian Life. All Rights Reserved.Site Powered by Pix & Hue.