World's tallest cockerel reared on popcorn
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An Essex (England) livestock owner claims to have reared the biggest cockerel in the world on a diet of popcorn.
At more than 2ft (26ins) tall the one-year-old Brahma bird, named Little John, terrifies small children.
But it could get even bigger as it is expected to continue growing until its second birthday.
Jeremy Goldsmith, the cockerel’s owner, claims it is a world-beater because he also reared the previous biggest, called Melvin and measuring 24ins tall.
Little John roams the 10-acre grounds of Mountfitchet Castle in Stansted, Essex., where he is fed crisps and popcorn from visitors.
Mr Goldsmith, 45, said: "Little John looks massive compared to the other cockerels and chickens we have on the estate.
"I think he has grown so big just because he is treated well and you don't get more free range than here.
"They have the chance to roam around and they eat differently to most other chickens.
"The kids often feed him sandwiches and crisps, but his favourite has got to be popcorn.
"Maybe that's why he has got so big. He terrifies the children as he always comes up to them thinking they have food.
"Some of the kids are quite small so sometimes Little John is up to their waist."
He added: "We've had him here since he hatched and we thought he might be the biggest because we held the previous Guinness World Record for the biggest cockerel.
"So we measured him and he was 26 inches, which didn't surprise us in the end.
"He'll continue to grow until he is two years old, so who knows how tall he will end up.”
Brahmas are an Asiatic breed of chicken that originated from birds exported through Shanghai in China and were known as "Shanghai" birds.
Mountfichet Castle has been the home to the two previous title holders of “tallest cock in the world,” Bertie and Melvin.
A spokesman for Guinness said: "If that measurement is verified then Little John would take the Guinness World Records title for tallest cockerel.
"We'd invite the owners to get in touch so that we can verify the claim.”
