Lucky chick story
Guanaja/Honduras 2025 – Von Tina
As we arrived for our first long-term house sit, six weeks on an island in Honduras, we were warmly welcomed by the homeowners. Just five minutes into our arrival, we were introduced to one of the more surprising residents: a three-week-old chick named Lucky.
Lucky had quite the origin story. While the owners were about to dispose of a clutch of eggs, they heard a faint “cheep” coming from the pile. One little chick had survived, the lucky one and hence the name Lucky. At the time of our arrival, Lucky was living in a cardboard box in the bathroom, fragile and adorable.
Out in the garden lived three more grown chickens: two hens and a proud rooster. They seemed to be enjoying life, often seen strolling around the yard and occasionally escaping over the garden fence for a bit of mischief. We were told that the owners had recently lost one hen to stray dogs. Later, we learned a neighbor had lost all his chickens to the same fate. As this was our first time caring for chickens, we were understandably nervous.
Each morning, the rooster’s crowing was oddly comforting—it meant the flock was alive and well. Though admittedly, being woken up at 3:30 a.m. wasn’t exactly a bonus.
But on the third day, the silence was unsettling. We couldn’t hear the usual morning crows. A search around the property led to a heartbreaking discovery: the two hens were there, but the rooster was gone. Moments later, we spotted a group of vultures circling and feeding. Our worst fears were confirmed—the rooster was dead.
We were shocked, saddened, and overwhelmed by helplessness. It’s one thing to understand the “laws of nature” in theory—it’s another to witness them firsthand, especially when you’re responsible for the animals.
Determined to protect the remaining hens, we got to work repairing the chicken coop and reinforcing the fence to keep the stray dogs out. The hens seemed to appreciate the safer, quieter setup. In fact, they appeared to go on a little vacation of their own, no more being overwhelmed by the rooster, just peaceful days of resting, molting, and taking a break from laying eggs.
Alongside caring for the hens, we also took great care of little Lucky. Watching this tiny chick grow and change was one of the most joyful parts of our house sit. Every time Lucky saw us, we were greeted with loud, excited “cheeps”, as if we were long-lost friends returning home. It felt like Lucky had chosen us as its new human parents.
We took Lucky out of the cardboard box as often as possible, allowing it to roam and be with us. The bond grew quickly. We did our homework, researching how to raise chickens, reading articles, watching videos, and even talking to experienced chicken keepers. We wanted to give Lucky the best chance at life.
There were plenty of bets and guesses about Lucky’s gender. For the longest time, we were convinced Lucky was a female. But with chickens, especially when they’re young, it’s not easy to tell.
As Lucky grew, we faced new challenges. We had to protect it from the curious cats and those same stray dogs that had claimed the rooster. Eventually, we introduced Lucky to the chicken coop and the fenced area with the two hens. It wasn’t smooth at first. The hens didn’t accept Lucky right away, and we had to be careful, always alert and on guard. Every day brought both joy and stress, as we hoped Lucky would stay safe and thrive.
But through it all, Lucky remained full of life and affection. The best moments were when Lucky ran toward us, full of excitement, as if to say, “There you are! I’ve been waiting for you!” It clearly preferred our company over that of the hens.
Then, just before the end of our six-week stay, something magical happened. Mixed in with the usual raspy cheeping, I heard a faint but unmistakable sound: a soft and slightly clumsy “cock-a-doodle-doo.”
And there he was. Lucky, not a hen after all, but a young rooster, finding his voice just in time to say goodbye.
Because we had fallen in love with the animals, the three quirky cats, the hens, and especially little Lucky, as well as the house and the island itself, we didn’t hesitate for a moment when the homeowners asked if we could return. Another sitter had dropped out, and we were more than happy to come back after a four-week break, for another seven weeks in this tropical paradise.
Before we left the first time, we had the joy of introducing Lucky, now clearly a young rooster, and the two hens (who had just started laying again after their long “holiday”) to the next house sitters. They were amused and surprised by Lucky, who still seemed to believe he was more human than chicken. He followed people around, loved attention, and always excited to see humans. We were relieved and grateful that they took such good care of him.
Then came our return.
As we walked onto the property, Lucky heard our voices and the reaction was immediate. Outraged clucking, crowing, and a flurry of feathers greeted us as he came running over. It truly felt like he recognized us. We were deeply touched. There’s something incredibly special about being remembered by an animal you’ve cared for. That connection hadn’t faded at all.
Lucky has grown into his role as the household rooster, louder and prouder than the one before him. He begins his day early, often at 3:00 a.m., and seems to crow even more than his predecessor. And yet, we love his voice. It’s not just noise; it’s a reminder of the bond we’ve shared, the story we’ve lived through together.
Now, Lucky has figured out how to escape the fenced area just to find us somewhere in the garden. He’s no longer at risk from the cats, he’s grown too big for that, but the stray dogs are still a concern, and our responsibility to protect him remains.
As our second stay draws to an end, a new challenge presents itself: gently distancing Lucky from us. It’s hard, knowing we have to leave again. We can only hope that he’ll continue to thrive, be loved, and live a long, safe, and happy life.
Because he’s not just any rooster.
He’s Lucky—beautiful, bold, and wonderfully special.
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