In Memory of Morgan
It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that I write to you. We lost our beloved resident, Morgan, last week. Morgan was hands down one of the coolest roosters we have ever known and likely one of the coolest roosters to walk planet Earth. Morgan had a kind heart, and gentle soul. He was a reliable protector and friends with everyone. He was well respected and made his bird friends feel safe. He was a curious bird, interested in everything. He was the Captain of the bird yard, the protector, and the best friend.
As you already know, he and Elen were absolutely inseparable. You would not find one without the other just inches away. They did absolutely everything together. And not once in the young, hormone filled days of Morgan’s life, did I ever see him even attempt to mount Elen. He was such a gentleman. He would call to her when finding a worm or special treat and he would save it for her to eat. He was the closest to Elen, but he also was bonded with Gene, Nan, Pacey (when she was alive), and even Virginia. He befriended everyone immediately and made them all feel safe and included.
We rescued Morgan from being made into chicken soup. He was less than a year old when he came to live at Ridge 2 River and I’ll never forget when the girl picked him up to put him in the crate for us to bring him home. She grabbed him by the feet, holding him upside down and tossed him into the crate like a piece of luggage. I couldn’t be more relieved that he was coming home with us, knowing he would never have to experience being treated that way ever again.
Morgan was sweet as could be from day one. He lived with the ducks in the beginning whom he settled right in with immediately. But we will never forget the day we brought Elen home. We knew Morgan was a young rooster with a lot of testosterone hanging around as it does in most young males. Elen was so little and frail because she had been fiercely picked on by the other hens in her previous situation. We let her be in a crate in their house for the evening to give everyone time to adjust. Morgan immediately was ecstatic to see Elen. He completely lit up, started fluffing his feathers and dancing and pacing around her cage trying to be closer to her. He slept on top of her cage on a blanket that evening and the next morning we let her out. He was so excited he could barely believe it. He danced around her and then immediately took her around to every spot in their house and yard and showed her everything! The nesting box, all the corners of the house, the water bucket, the food dish, the dust bathing areas, all around their yard, literally everything. They even accompanied each other to the vet, and I’d get comments on how they could never take Morgan very far away or Elen would get too upset if they did. Morgan and Elen were inseparable since the moment they met.
Morgy was not only an exceptional companion to his bird friends, but he was also a gentleman and true companion to his human friends as well. He was curious, gentle, and friendly to every human he met. His favorites always being whom he knew best, but isn’t that often the case, for many of us too? From very early on, Morgan had health issues. He would get sores on his feet and need a Pedi bath every other day, including a blow dry, medicine put on and his feet wrapped. This went one for many months and Morgan and I definitely created a special bond during this time. We would listen to music and a couple days he would even head bob a little bit with me to the music. A favorite of his, and mine, Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker. Falling asleep in my arms while I blow dried his feet.
Over a year ago, Morgy started getting really red skin, losing some feathers, and showing signs of some difficulty breathing. After a few different vets and vet visits, with no success of curing him and being told, it can be a “normal” thing for roosters, Morgy saw a Cardiologist. We found out that Morgy had a heart about 3 times bigger than it should be, a thinner lining than it should have, and it did not beat with a proper rhythm. Morgan was put on multiple medications both morning and evening and had multiple check-ups to make sure we could get the medication doses as perfect as possible. September 2020, the cardiologist was surprised Morgy was still alive and gave him an estimate of three months to live. Morgy was doing better than ever!!
Morgan had just had a check-up about 3 ½ weeks ago and was released to not need another for 6 months, due to how good he was looking and acting. Though we knew Morgan’s time with us was limited, we sure didn’t expect him to be taken so soon. He was as normal as could be early that morning. We left for an hour and ½ to bring the dogs for their yearly vaccinations and upon our return, before noon, I found Morgy laying stiff and motionless in their house with Elen faithfully standing by his side. It seems he may have been helping Elen make a nest, just before he passed. We couldn’t believe it. We allowed time for Elen and the others to say their goodbyes.
Morgy was a true ambassador for his species, and we are so grateful for all the humans who were fortunate enough to know him.
He will forever be remembered as the most amazing rooster ever. We will never forget you Morgy. We believe you are reunited with Pacey, Chino, and many other fellow friends, enjoying vast green pastures with endless trees to roost in, and free from all pain. We love you and we miss you.
~ Namaste