There is a very specific kind of chaos that only comes from trying to photograph a flock of roosters, and it usually ends with a blur of feathers and a peck on the shin. This week, the internet's finest poultry parents are showing off their boys, with one user clarifying the pecking order for the cameras. We are talking about the post titled All my roosters in order, where the real star of the show is the orange one, not the cream legbar. The lead rooster, the one really close to the camera, is apparently the current head honcho, and honestly, his confidence is showing.
We love a good flock update, but this little snapshot is more than just a roll call. It is a masterclass in chicken hierarchy, and honestly, it is a little terrifying. The comment about the lead rooster being the one "really close to the camera" is the kind of detail that makes us laugh and then back away slowly. He is not just posing; he is asserting dominance over the lens. It reminds us of that time a few weeks ago when we covered the absolute pandemonium of a hen getting the better of her owner in Chickens Got Her Good! A Backyard Poultry Adventure. That story was about a surprise attack, but this is about a calculated stare. The fear is real, folks, but so is the love.
Now, we have to talk about the practical side of this because it matters for anyone who shares their yard with these feathered tyrants. Knowing who is in charge is not just a fun fact; it is survival. When you have a rooster who thinks he is the bouncer of the barnyard, you need to know his body language. The fact that the lead rooster is the one getting up close and personal with the camera means he is either curious or deciding if the lens is a threat. Either way, our advice is to establish your own pecking order early. A sturdy boot and a firm "no" go a long way, but a grain scoop to the face works wonders. We have seen the joy of new life with the Six fluffy chicks have hatched—egg-cellent news from our feathered friends! and the Tiny Marans Froment chicks are cluck-tastic, and currently napping!, but those babies grow up fast. The cute little peeps turn into the very roosters who think your shoelaces are snacks.
Our honest take? We appreciate the warning about the orange one. Too many people see a pretty cream legbar and assume it is the boss just because it is pretty. Nope. The one with the guts to get right in the frame is the one running the show. That is the takeaway here. If you are looking at your own flock, do not assume the biggest or the brightest is in charge. Watch who the others move for. Watch who gets the first bite of scratch. That is your lead rooster, and he is probably the one staring at you right now, wondering why you are reading this instead of feeding him. Keep your eyes on the orange one, because he is definitely keeping his on you.
