First a little bit about real Roosters. They do not lay eggs and are not needed for egg production, but are required if you want baby chicks. They are protective of the flock and will defend the family from predators. They can be tamed, and become devoted pets if handled and worked with often.



They can crow at anytime including night time. Crowing marks territory, so the fewer roosters the less crowing. One rooster per flock is all that's needed. In fact a hen house with more than one rooster is just asking for trouble. You can keep a rooster subordinate if he is smaller than the biggest hen. Which, means she runs the show.

On my favorite island of Oahu, wild roosters have reigned for over a thousand years. I did find it a bit strange when I was at an outdoor BBQ eating chicken and a rooster walked up and was standing by my table. But wild Roosters and chickens have been roaming free on this beautiful island for centuries. In fact on Oahu if you ask "Why did the chicken cross the road?" the answer would likely be "to get to the beach".

In Portugal there is the Galo de Barcelos, the national symbol of Portugal. Which is a Rooster symbolizing honesty, integrity, trust and honor. The town of Barcelos is well know for its earthenware and the most popular symbol is the Rooster. There are tons of stories and folklore from different cultures about Roosters. The Rooster symbolizes many different things.

I remember watching a story on the news last year about a wild Rooster living in Manhattan. He was wreaking havoc on the nearby neighbors sleeping habits. A farm rescue group from upstate swooped in and tried to catch the rooster. First attempting to lure him with food, a female rooster, and even a red blanket. The crafty rooster didn't fall for any of these tricks.

Finally a resourceful rescuer was able to capture him with a net. Now instead of disturbing urban sleepers the crafty rooster gets to retire upstate. With lot's of girlfriends, fresh air and unlimited snacks. Not bad considering, whatever fate he must have escaped from, to be roaming the streets and neighborhoods of Manhattan.

In Chinese astrology people who are born in certain years have a rooster sign. These people are practical quick thinkers who don't like to take unnecessary risks. They enjoy a keen sense of detail and always seem to know what's going on. Rooster's are straight forward and love honesty. The rooster has a trusting behavior and yet is not easily fooled.

Roosters can be perfectionists and expect to be in control, especially when it comes to their looks. They have high standards of dress, conduct, and neatness, and expect the same of others. Roosters need a partner that understands their conservative nature but is not too laid back. The rooster should probably focus on valuing heart and soul above good looks. Appealing to the Roosters logic of live and let live may be a good method for dealing with the roosters overly controlling ideals.

The rooster is a symbol of many things to many cultures. What I like best about the rooster symbol is having one in the kitchen is supposed to be a symbol of luck, health, and prosperity. Whether it's a rooster clock, cookie jar, wall paper, dish towels, trivet, or just a ceramic rooster sitting on the back of the stove watching over the kitchen. Seeing a kitchen rooster not only makes me feel at home it makes the entire kitchen warm and comfortable and inviting. I think I like it best because it gives me that feeling of nostalgia, like when I was young.