rooster

A rooster is the adult male chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). In some dialects the bird is called a cock or a cockerel, and terms vary by region. Roosters are kept in many domestic flocks for breeding, protection, and sometimes show purposes.

Physical characteristics include a comb on top of the head and wattles beneath the beak, with more ornate saddle and hackle feathers in males. Roosters often have spurs on their legs. They are typically larger and more brightly colored than hens.

Behavior: Roosters crow to announce territory and wake the flock. They are territorial and may defend hens against predators or rivals. They engage in courtship displays and mating with hens; a flock shows a pecking order with the rooster usually at or near the top.

Diet and reproduction: Roosters are omnivores, feeding on seeds, insects, and scraps in addition to commercial feed. They fertilize eggs laid by hens; hens will lay eggs whether or not a rooster is present, but fertilized eggs can hatch into chicks.

Role in farming and culture: In farming, roosters help manage breeding and protect flocks; some breeds are kept primarily for meat or feather production. Cockfighting, though illegal or restricted in many places, has historical cultural significance in some regions.

Origins and distribution: Domestic chickens descend from the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus). Domestic roosters occur worldwide in backyard and commercial flocks. Their lifespans vary; in optimized settings they may live several years.