SUDBURY -- A Sudbury rooster who developed a taste for the suburbs is now on his way to a new farm thanks to the efforts of one New Sudbury community.

It was back in late August when neighbours on McAllister Avenue were shocked to find what appeared to be a homeless rooster who had moved into the community.

"I would come outside every morning to have my coffee and since late August I had been hearing a roosting call, so me, [and neighbours] Monique and Mike had been wondering if we were kind of losing it or if it was actually a real rooster and then he appeared in Mike's backyard eating the plums," said Sylvie Poitras.

Wildlife is nothing new for the neighbourhood, which has the Rotary Trail at end of its street. Neighbours say that they have seen bears, raccoons, and even mink, but this was their first rooster.

"When we had the windows open, he would wake me up every morning with a big crow. He was letting me know he was hungry," laughed Mike Fex. "It's kind of nice, we like him and he kind of grew into a pet."

Poitras named him "Bruce" for his quick, martial artist-like moves. He would only let you get so close before he'd out-maneuver you in a flash, much like his name-sake Bruce Lee.

Fearing for his safety and with winter quickly approaching, they decided that they had to find him a home.

But first they'd have to capture him and to the best of their knowledge, they felt they were on their own. The Greater Sudbury Animal Services doesn't handle chicken calls and city officials declined the opportunity to comment.

"All the neighbours got together…and we tried to catch him many ways, we tried fish nets, we tried blankets, we tried to snare him with a rope on the ground. He'd step right over it and just peck at the food all around it so it's been pretty difficult," said Fex.

Fex’s wife took to Facebook, asking those on the Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter Page if anyone had any ideas.

They finally came up with idea of setting up a dog kennel with food on the inside and a long rope. After two days of thinking about, the so-called Bruce decided to give it a shot and the neighbours were able to close the door behind him.

"It was really cool and we got him in on time and put in the shed and wrapped him up and then let him out. He got comfortable with me a few times, he would get within arms reach but to try and catch him, he was too quick. There was no way in hell you could try and catch that guy," laughed Poitras.

One of the neighbours across the street has a son who owns a farm in Warren where Bruce's services will be high in demand. He's been promised a warm barn over his head and all the chicken companionship he desires.

"I'm an early-riser myself so every morning I would look forward to that little roosting call cause it would make me smile to know that he survived another night so it was pretty cool, I'm going to miss him definitely," said Poitras.

"[The neighbourhood] is going to be a lot quieter," laughed Fex. "We still have a lot of wild birds to feed so we're not going to miss out on any wildlife or anything like that but he's going to be missed."

"It really doesn't surprise me, that neighbourhood, that whole area, it's typical of New Sudbury of neighbours helping neighbours and caring and I think it's just so nice to hear that neighbours would come together and do something good at this time of year," smiled Robert Kirwan, the area’s city councillor.

While no one knows for sure how 'Bruce' got to McAllister Avenue, the Ontario SPCA also issued a statement:

"To help keep animals safe, happy and healthy, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society always encourages people to do their research before adopting any animal to understand the care that animal needs. If you have sufficient space and are prepared for the care that comes along with having a chicken, check your municipal bylaws to ensure that you are permitted to keep them in your area."