MORALITY OF THE COCKS: Lesson from a poultry farm – Mentoring Masterclass by Dr. Bólá Adéwará

Over the past few months, I’ve spent time observing my poultry—fowls, guinea fowls, and turkeys. Each morning, before heading out or settling into my library to work, I take a moment to watch them interact, even as I feed them. It’s fascinating to see nature at play.

I’ve witnessed hawks swooping down to attack and how my birds anticipate and respond to such threats. I’ve seen turkeys naturally gravitate towards their kind, avoiding fowls as though to say, “We’re not the same.” But the interactions between cocks and hens intrigued me the most, and that’s the lesson I’d like to share today.

One thing stood out: a cock will never fight a hen. The cock, being the larger and stronger male, relates with the hen—smaller, gentler, and naturally submissive—in a way that is protective, not combative. However, the cock often fights other males, especially when another cock tries to court his favourite babe.

Interestingly, each cock seems to have a “favourite wife.” He protects her, ensures she has food, and mates with her frequently. If another cock dares approach her romantically, all hell breaks loose. They’ll fight until the impostor retreats. Despite this aggression with rivals, the cock remains remarkably faithful to his chosen hen.

When a hen is about to lay eggs, the cock assists in finding a good, secure spot. From my own experience, once I create a safe place for her, the cock directs her there. After the hen starts laying and eventually begins incubating, she withdraws from daily interactions.

During this period, the cock may flirt with other hens. Yet, the moment his first wife, the iyale comes out of her nesting, even briefly, his attention shifts back to her. He continues to protect and prioritise her until she returns to her eggs.

1. The cock demonstrates loyalty and protection toward his wife.

2. No other cock dares violate the hen of another—it simply doesn’t happen.

3. And no matter how briefly distracted he may be, his loyalty always returns to his original partner.

4. Moreover, the cock never raises a claw against the hen. Not once have I seen a cock attack a female. Instead, he supports and shields her, even if she is not his wife.

5. No cock mates with another cock. Nor does a hen tries to have it with another. Yet, mankind has strayed so far into sodomy that we sometimes seem more deserving of the term “lower animals.”

If a cock can embody loyalty, protection, support and respect for his wife, shouldn’t we strive to do the same? Let us, as men, learn from nature’s example and rise above the chaos that humanity sometimes creates.