| Denizli | |
| Country: | Turkey |
| Distribution: | Turkey |
| Use: | Multipurpose |
| Pcgb: | rare long crowers |
| Comb: | single (big comb/small comb) |
| Type: | Rooster |
| Latin: | Gallus gallus domesticus |
The Denizli is a breed of rooster developed in Denizli, Turkey. It is characterised by its long-crowing abilities, with the general guideline being a crow of 20–25 seconds in their first year. The breed is divided into 3 groups based on colour, body structure, and comb types.[1] It is described as having black eyes, dark gray or purple leg colour, with silver or red hackles and sometimes red feathering on the wings. They weigh 3–3.5 kg.[2]
It has been the symbol of both Denizli City and Province for at least nine hundred years, after excavations at Laodicea on the Lycus revealed a 900-year-old relief of the cities symbol.[3] In 2013 the largest glass sculpture in Turkey, a giant Denizli rooster in Delikliçınar Square, Denizli City, was unveiled to celebrate this find following a survey to decide on a statue for the newly renovated square.[4]
Its population has been noted as declining, and an active conservation program is now in progress by the Lalahan Central Livestock Research Institute.[5]
A video of a Denizli rooster crowing entitled "death metal rooster", went viral on YouTube in 2010. Discovery Channel covered the video explaining how roosters crow for such a long duration.[6] [7] The video was nominated in the O Music Awards 2011 for Best Animal Performance.[8]