Where’s Carl? Iconic Ocean Springs rooster is coming back home after medical scare
Carl the Rooster will return to his downtown Ocean Springs stomping grounds Tuesday after healing from an infection.
His proper name is Carl 2.0 because this rooster is the second to peck his way along Government Street. Carl Sr. was relocated to a nice home in Vancleave years ago after he scratched a child in front of Tato-Nut Donut Shop.
Carl 2.0 has proven less aggressive and was a popular sight as he made his daily downtown rounds. Residents were alarmed when one of Carl’s benefactors, Oren Zweig, reported Dec. 5 on a community Facebook page that the rooster was limping.
Many residents offered to pay for treatment. But Bienville Animal Medical Center treated Carl 2.0 for free. Veterinarian Dr. Michael Dill did the honors. It turned out the rooster had an infection in his knee joint that responded to antibiotics.
Carl 2.0 is all better now.
Carl the Rooster follows downtown routine
He’s been recovering at Bienville and will be released Tuesday morning outside Zweig’s business, Lil Market Deli and Bagelry. Carl likes to start his day there with breakfast.
The crew at Twisted Anchor Tattoo & Gallery leave water for Carl, and the rooster often sleeps and naps on their porches.
“He’s got his little routine,” Zweig said. “. . . He has become an attraction for the city. All the businesses love it.”
The original Carl had his own Facebook page. Carl 2.0 has a t-shirt collection in his honor with an assortment of designs and styles available at downtownoceansprings.com.
Site owner Trevor Reid said the t-shirts are selling well.
“When you’re walking down Government Street and you see this beautiful, giant rooster in the middle of the sidewalk looking at you, it’s just a culture shock thing,” Reid said. “I mean, he has his rounds. It’s really funny.”
Carl starts his day crowing at 3:30 or 4 a.m., Zweig said. He’s even been known to show up at Zweig’s house by the bagelry. Usually, Carl is peering intently in the bagelry window when workers arrive.
Ocean Springs mascot loves to eat
Zweig said that Carl loves ham, cream cheese and eggs but also eats cracked corn. And that’s not all. He makes his rounds to the sushi place and other restaurants in the busy downtown, winding up his day at Twisted Anchor Tattoo on Government Street.
Carl will eat just about any food, Zweig said. “He’s huge,” he said. “He’s a big boy. Everyone feeds him.”
Carl is also quite lovely, with pops of red and green feathers.
He’s adjusted to the veterinary center, office manager Sherri Irwin said, but will no doubt be happy to hit the streets again.
“He’s probably looking for some bagels,” Irwin said. “I’m not sure what all he eats downtown, so he’s not loving the chicken food, but it’s what we have.”
“The dogs barking don’t seem to bother him at all. For a rooster, he’s pretty chill.”
This story was originally published December 13, 2021 at 4:03 PM.
