This is Goliath. He is the top bird on our little homestead. After several experiences with bad-tempered roosters a friend gave us this regal bird. He rules the hens with a firm, but kind hand (or I guess I should say claw). He makes sure they don't wander into potentially dangerous places to scratch for bugs, and he loves them unconditionally as only a rooster can.
My favorite thing about him though is that he doesn't chase my children or me. I have a huge aversion to looking over my shoulder all the time for fear a naughty rooster might pounce on me. It makes me feel like I'm a criminal and there is a resident policeman in my own back yard. One with feathers and spurs. Anyway...Goliath is a perfect gentleman. He does occasionally give me the evil eye when I have to shoo his ladies away from somewhere, but he never acts on it. Probably he mutters about me in chicken language behind my back, but I can live with that.
He almost looks like he is posing for the picture with one claw lifted delicately.
