No one knows where he came from, the big Rhode Island Red chicken just wandered into Scio, Oregon in the bed of pickup in 1998, no one knew who belonged to or why he was in the pickup.
He jumped out of the vehicle and wandered into the Scio Feed and Country Store, owned by the Heikkila family. He made his home in the warehouse of the store and crowed each morning at 8 a.m. to be let out.
Named "Big Red" by the townspeople in this rural community with a population of about 700. "Big Red" developed a familiar routine, when being let out in the morning, he would pause at the steps of the warehouse and then head across the street and down an alley to the Scio Food Center / Deli on Main Street where he awaited a cinnamon roll and tiny ceramic dish filled with water.
After finishing breakfast, "Big Red" would return to the feed store, making several stops along the way for sliced grapes and popcorn.
He always returned to the grocery store around lunch time looking out for handouts from students. Shortly before 5 p.m., he would return to the warehouse to be locked up for the night. The mysterious rooster caught the attention of the Oregon news media and eventually his story reached a national audience via CNN and Fox News. Tourists soon started arriving in town just to see "Big Red"
This past Tuesday, while walking to his home at the Scio Feed Store, a dog leaped through the open window of a parked car and pounced on "Big Red". Heikkila said "Big Red" staggered for several steps and collapsed at the front door of Veterinarian Sally Cole's office. His cause of death was broken ribs and internal bleeding.
Though residents will miss having "Big Red" walk the streets of their town, they will still be able to stop in see him, as the Heikkilas plan to have "Big Red" mounted and on display in their store. After eight years of bringing joy to this small town, "Big Red" is gone but will never be forgotten.