Last winter a stray cat wandered in.
Now, we usually have no use for strays, and don't allow them to take up residence. But Ross is different.
For one thing, he is very affectionate and cuddly. He was obviously someone's pet...he just loves attention to the point where he is a pest at times! For another thing he is neutered, which is a good thing. but I'm pretty sure he's been homeless for a while. His ears are both gone, frozen off. And his coat was matted and he seemed neglected.
Anyway, we first discovered Ross hanging out in the hen house. It was one of those very mild days in December, and the little door was open in the coop for the chickens to go out to get some fresh air. The poor girls were squawking and flapping and making a ruckuss, so I went out to investigate expecting the worst. And there he was, right at home sitting on a bale, totally oblivious to all the comotion. I scooted him out and closed the door to keep him out. But every day as soon as he got an opportunity, back he would go. The hens started getting used to him and began to ignore the fact that there is a resident cat in their house. He spends every night in there. The mice had been getting to be a problem, but Ross has really knocked down the mouse population, so I guess he earns his accomodations.
Ross has now become part of the farm-family of animals. The kids love him, so I guess he is welcome to stay on as the coop cat until the mood strikes and he wanders off again.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Now, we usually have no use for strays, and don't allow them to take up residence. But Ross is different.
For one thing, he is very affectionate and cuddly. He was obviously someone's pet...he just loves attention to the point where he is a pest at times! For another thing he is neutered, which is a good thing. but I'm pretty sure he's been homeless for a while. His ears are both gone, frozen off. And his coat was matted and he seemed neglected.
Anyway, we first discovered Ross hanging out in the hen house. It was one of those very mild days in December, and the little door was open in the coop for the chickens to go out to get some fresh air. The poor girls were squawking and flapping and making a ruckuss, so I went out to investigate expecting the worst. And there he was, right at home sitting on a bale, totally oblivious to all the comotion. I scooted him out and closed the door to keep him out. But every day as soon as he got an opportunity, back he would go. The hens started getting used to him and began to ignore the fact that there is a resident cat in their house. He spends every night in there. The mice had been getting to be a problem, but Ross has really knocked down the mouse population, so I guess he earns his accomodations.
Ross has now become part of the farm-family of animals. The kids love him, so I guess he is welcome to stay on as the coop cat until the mood strikes and he wanders off again.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
