First of all, let me clarify that the current Mr. Fabulous is not the first rooster to bear this name in the farm animal sanctuary. Several years ago, another tall, golden rooster patrolled the premises. He was by no means the cock of the walk, the bird who ruled the pasture and protected the flock from small predators and young upstart roosters. He was just very handsome and knew to keep out of the way of Big Red and Bernie, the roosters who truly did run the show.

Nor is the current Mr. Fabulous the only bird to bear this name. A couple of years ago, we adopted several young chickens who needed a home. Because people often purchase chicks without knowing the sexes of the babies*, they find that their birds are laying dozens of eggs per day as promised or are never going to lay eggs because they are males. So if we have space, they come here.

Such was the case with these new birds. Two grew to uncannily resemble the first Mr. Fabulous in both appearance and temperament. We refer to them as “The Fabuli” when they are together. Caramel, a rooster with a bit more red in his ruff, is the stern top of the pecking order. The easy-going Fabuli don’t give him any guff. They just gleam brilliantly in the summer sun as gentle breezes toss their tawny, flowing locks. They could be on the cover of a summer beach read. Instead, they chase insects and take dust baths on The Quarry Farm.