Many people are disturbed by the loud crowing of a rooster. Not so with the small animal breeders in Schwäbisch Gmünd: In a competition, the most crowing rooster is sought.
Schwäbisch Gmünd (dpa / lsw) - Which rooster has the greatest endurance? The animals are lined up in cages next to each other - and then it's time to crow. This is how Ludwig Burr from the Hussenhofen small animal breeding club explains the rules of the cock crow competition this Sunday.
For the 44th time, the small animal breeders have invited to Schwäbisch Gmünd (Ostalbkreis) for the curious competition. Not only those who own a rooster can take part. "Those who are interested can also borrow a rooster for the competition," says Burr. Up to nine roosters compete against each other in a round. A distinction is made between large roosters and dwarf roosters.
If a rooster crows most frequently in one of the rounds, which last around 15 minutes, it advances. A trophy awaits the owner of the most crowing rooster at the end. So that there is something to hear, the competition starts in the morning. "Later in the day, a rooster doesn't crow as much," explains Burr. The first laps are therefore crucial.
The idea for the unusual competition came from a friendly small animal breeding club, says CEO Burr. The rooster crowing was very well received there. And their roosters have also been cheered on by the participants and guests for years. The so-called zero round at the end is also a tradition. The rooster that crows the most doesn't win here. But the one who stays calm the longest. "Whoever crows first gets kicked out," says Burr. Here, too, the winner receives a trophy.
How much there is to hear about the animals also depends on the weather, says the small animal breeder. Crows usually do not occur when it is very hot. That's why Burr is hoping for mild temperatures on Sunday. In the afternoon at the latest, after all the hustle and bustle, the animals can rest again. Burr cannot say in advance how many cocks and competitors there will be this year. Many also spontaneously decided to borrow a rooster for the crowing contest.
