The owner of Rocky the rooster has been told by council officials to keep him quiet in the early morning or face prosecution.
Fed-up neighbours in the Hampshire village of Marchwood have complained to New Forest District Council that the bird is ruining their slumbers with his cockadoodledos from 4am every day.
Owner Paul Wilton, 51, who also keeps about 45 chickens, has now blacked out the windows of Rocky's home to try and keep him quiet and avoid a fine of up to £5,000.
A cock crowing in the country, whatever next! I suspect that those who are complaining are really townies who have chosen to live in the country and commute to the towns and cities for work. Anyone brought up in the countryside like I was accepts the sounds and smells that go with it.
