Southerns are famous for their eccentricities, which include their pet preferences. I only bring this up because my mom lives in NC, and her neighbor has fancy roosters. Yes, you read that right. "Fancy" roosters. Say it a few times and this about it. It's hard to wrap your mind around isn't it?

I did a little research online because I wasn't sure why anyone would raise fancy roosters, unless they live on a farm. I wondered…

Are fancy roosters tastier than other chickens?
Is there a milliner somewhere who pays a high price for their tail feathers, so he can make fancy church hats?
Are these roosters endangered, like white tigers or pandas?
Do they lay golden eggs?

After a less than exhaustive search on the Internet, I have concluded that the only defining characteristic of fancy roosters is fanciness.

Take our friend here. He lives next door to my mom.

Notice his red belly and "fancy" tail? Now before you run out and buy your own fancy rooster, there are a few things you should know:
– They are expensive, as in they can cost as much as a purebred dog.
– They require a large pen or area to run around in. I would not suggest your living room for this.
– They don't seem particularly friendly.
– They seem to know they are fancy, and behave accordingly.
– And most importantly, they crow at sunrise just like un-fancy roosters.

A potbellied pig is sounding better by the minute.