Just a few years ago chickens displaced pigs as the #1 source of animal protein consumed by humans.
As is true of most “domesticated” animals, chooks enjoy/suffer a host of different “fates”.
Millions suffer appallingly, en route to being devoured, but that is not invariably true.
Nor does every member of a “meat” species end up on a plate.
And some experience kinder, more compassionate treatment from humans than do millions of people.
I am almost certain that the pictured Moroccan rooster enjoyed a more pampered life than did many of his human compatriots.
In October 2025 we encountered this post’s hero in a bazaar in Fez,
That northern Moroccan city has one of the world’s largest “pedestrians, only” zones.
Its walled Medina may well be the oldest such urban area to have fitted that description, continuously… from its inception circa 1300 years ago, to the present.
Once upon a time, every eponymous hat really was made in Fez!
I think this post’s hero functioned as both a stallholder’s pet and as his stall’s emblem.
Of course, many Moroccan chooks do end up “in the pot”.
The pictured pot’s aroma was very enticing; it is safe to assume that the chickens therein would have enjoyed a truly “free range” life, in or near the hillside town of Bhalil, not far from Fez.
Musical bonus
Roosters and hens feature in many songs.
The best of them are more centrally concerned with humans’ behaviour than with fowls’.
American songster Tom Russell is the author of my favourite example.
Gallo Del Cielo translates as “rooster from heaven”.
The epic song’s human hero is Carlos Zaragoza, the “wronged man” who steals a fighting cock.
Zaragoza sees Gallo Del Cielo as the one available key to reversing his misfortunes.
Discover more, here.
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