Darryn the rooster was found with tethered wings and was taken to the SPCA where rangers tended to his wounds and eased his pain.
After some much-needed rest and recuperation on the SPCA farm near Auckland his wings healed and he became a happy rooster once more.
Darryn spent months at the farm waiting for someone to come and adopt him.
So when Jackie Lobb turned up looking for a rooster to look after her flock of hens he was overjoyed when he was picked.
At his new home Darryn is the head of the flock and looks after the ladies of the group.
"Darryn settled in super quickly after meeting his new family and the nine ladies he watches over," Lobb said.
"One of the girls tried to push him around, but he turned quickly on her and she retreated.
"He was roosting with them all in one coop after about 40 minutes of strutting around and cooing," she added.
How to adopt
If you are interested in adopting a pet from the SPCA, visit www.rnzspca.org.nz or call the Auckland SPCA on (09) 256 7300.