I have found myself to be the accidental keeper of a chicken, and was hoping for some advice.
Around 5/6 weeks ago, a young cockerel arrived in my kitchen out of the blue. Since then, he has followed me around and seems extremely relaxed in my company (sunbathing, grooming, sitting next to me whilst I work and napping etc). We presumed that when it was time to roost, he was returning home - we live rurally and many neighbours keep chickens. It’s become apparent he actually has been roosting in the tree outside my window, so he can see the second I’m up and about and comes flapping down, screaming and crowing!
The chicken keepers in the village don’t seem too concerned with them wandering around and joining other flocks, and we don’t mind him being here, but I do want to make sure he’s receiving proper care. Is there anything I should be providing or doing for him to help? Is he ok in a tree in this cold weather? We have a coop (previous owners of house left it) and he has no interest in it at all. He is free to return to wherever his original home is whenever he likes but doesn’t stray far at all, I wonder if he was bullied out or is just a bit of a loner as he doesn’t seem sad, he displays very playful and happy chicken behaviour! Thanks.