Original Photograph from Flickr

click for more

COCK

The cock loves being amongst the hens.

The cock can mate a dozen times a day, maybe even two dozen times if testosterone allows or dictates.

The cock will fight to be allowed to do this, to establish the pecking order through pecking, though intimidation is a far more palatable solution. Once the pecking order is established it will not change unless illness or age befalls the cock of the yard.

The cock of the yard uses the crow to declare its territory, it will crow whenever another cock approaches and often whenever another being approaches, you will have observed this though you may not have thought about it at the time.

Sometimes another cock will share the yard, sometimes they will be allowed to crow but seldom will they get away with mating. Some cocks choose this, they can be called lovable rogues as, when given the opportunity, they will always fight to be the cock of the yard.

The cock is a practical being above all else and gets on with the primary tasks of the day: feeding. Unlike the wild fowl, the cock is used to the protection of the yard and will seldom consider the dangers beyond the fence. And why should the cock, the yard contains nutrition and procreation, and even recreation.

When a new cock arrives in the yard there will be a period of reckoning. The new cock can choose to submit to the cock of the yard, or they can challenge to be cock of the yard. Sometimes the new cock is foolhardy and rushes towards conflict, but in general it is better advised to take the lay of the land, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the cock of the yard, and to assess the fruitfulness of the hens, for the hens are the prize.

As for the hens, they do not care.

Welcome to the House of Masks, beautiful cock, welcome to this strange place with its strange rules. Be careful, my beautiful cock, be yourself even when the rules challenge you as they will. Take care, my beautiful cock, or this place will be the end of you.

The dawn calling
Arriving earlier, at the first light of dawn...