In North Queensland, a dedicated not-for-profit organization is working tirelessly to provide a safe haven for roosters that have been abandoned or dumped. Renay Robinson is the founder of Rooster Rescue and Rehoming NQ. She still personally supervises the care of about 80 roosters, managing several flocks scattered across the Townsville area. This year, the organization has seen a significant increase in dumped rooster reports. This alarming and unprecedented increase raises concerns over the welfare of these domestic birds.
Often called the barnyard diva, roosters possess big personalities and aren’t afraid to use their voices – starting at dawn and crowing all day long if they choose. Although many people think of them as rambunctious pets, Robinson says they can be productive, positive influences on a backyard flock. Given their protective instincts, roosters are crucial to keeping hens safe from any possible danger.
The Plight of Abandoned Roosters
The fate of most roosters in the metro area is still bleak. It could explain why reports often show hundreds of birds being dumped in an area with no food or water. For example, Flipper the rooster was found abandoned in a park with eleven other roosters. In much the same way, Rusty and Dennis were abandoned to bushland outside of Townsville, in a life-threatening situation.
“We get three, four messages a week of people notifying us of dumped roosters in bush with no food, no water,” – Renay Robinson
It’s important to remember, as Robinson does, that these domesticated animals are woefully unprepared for life in the wild. The prospect of starvation or predation makes abandonment a nasty fate for them. Overwhelmingly, people just don’t realize what dumping these birds in the wild means or how to care for them.
“They wouldn’t know how to survive out in the bush. They’re domestic animals so it’s a horrible thing for them to starve to death and be eaten by a predator,” – Y’vette Kelly
Kelly also fosters roosters and works to find them permanent homes. She uses this opportunity to remind the public that we need to reconsider how we treat animals in our society. She notes that many of the roosters hatched face difficult odds that would lead them to die prematurely. This fact can often come as a “death sentence” for them.
The Importance of Responsible Pet Ownership
Either way, experts recommend that future owners of backyard poultry take their decisions seriously. One of the other community advocates, Debbie King, advises not to buy unsexed chicks. Instead, she advocates for future owners to consider rehoming ex-commercial layers or adopting roosters from rescue organizations.
“I would advise to avoid buying day old chicks that you don’t know what the sex is,” – Debbie King
Roosters can be a challenge in their own right. Robinson is right when she describes how raucous roosters can be. They crow at dawn, during the day, and other times to warn or challenge perceived threats, and most owners are ill prepared for this behavior.
“Sometimes neighbours don’t always feel so keen on it,” – Renay Robinson
For anyone thinking about bringing a rooster into their backyard flock, King advises there are better options out there.
“You can actually buy chickens at point of lay,” – Debbie King
By educating prospective companions on what the right choice would be, advocates aim to decrease the number of unwanted roosters thrown away or let loose.
Building a Community Solution
The increasing prevalence of abandoned roosters has led to successful discussions or debates about community responsibility and humane treatment of animals. As Y’vette Kelly, who helped orchestrate Beyond Cops and Claws, put it, we need to stop abandoning each other.
“Dumping roosters is not the answer. We need to come up with a solution as a collective,” – Y’vette Kelly
That’s why she thinks it’s so important to recognize the emotional side of animal care. And when folks choose to adopt these amazing birds, they’re not just rescuing these creatures—they’re doing the true rescue second-chance story. If they continue to abandon their obligations, it will mean the death knell for the birds.
“There are a lot of roosters that being born is a death sentence and not many get happy endings like we all like to think they do,” – Y’vette Kelly
With Robinson’s Rooster Rescue and Rehoming NQ operating as a sanctuary and rescue, it’s become a well-deserved second chance at life for these misunderstood animals. On any given day she has more than 30 roosters free-ranging on her property. She’s just as committed to ensuring that every one of them finds a loving home.
“There’s always little blow ups but nothing where they’re injuring themselves,” – Renay Robinson
Roosters are the most persecuted animal in our society. That’s why initiatives like Rooster Rescue are so critical to raising awareness and advocacy to make sure these animals are treated humanely. As they work diligently to secure better futures for abandoned birds, there is hope for change in public perception and treatment of these unique creatures.
