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.”
