Rooster thinks he's a dog, speaks on command

Larry is a Brahma rooster who is living the good life at a bird sanctuary in southern Ontario. He was rescued from a less than ideal home and now he wanders freely, along with many different species of birds that are being cared for by a very dedicated bunch of staff and volunteers. Most of the birds brought here are being rehabilitated with the hope that they can be released back into the wild in the same area that they came from.

Larry has become a permanent resident at the wildlife sanctuary and he prefers to strut around at the entrance, greeting newcomers like the head of their public relations department. Larry is extremely friendly and very comfortable with people. He does not mind people approaching him to get a close look or to take pictures. Larry will even crow on command, much like a dog that has been trained to "speak".

Larry doesn't seem to understand how funny this is. As soon as he lets out a "cock-a-doodle-do", he goes back to foraging for things to eat on the ground. How Larry learned this unusual behavior is a mystery but he seems to enjoy performing it whenever asked. He also likes to stand up and show his impressive height as he crows.

Brahma roosters are a very large breed that can grow to 18 pounds (although the average is closer to 12 pounds) and can measure almost three feet tall. They were once bred and raised for meat. They are among the largest chickens in the world. These birds have enormous claws on their feet and are capable of inflicting injury if they feel the need to defend themselves. This may explain why Larry is so confident as he walks around without any concern. Larry has also responded very well to the care and gentle treatment by his human family at the rehab centre.
To see such personality in a chicken is a great reminder that they are actually more intelligent than we give them credit for.