Capitol Roosters Stage Feathered Protest Over Cockfighting Bill

If you walked past the State Capitol along N Street on Wednesday morning and heard an unusually loud chorus of crowing, you weren’t imagining things. Dozens of roosters were penned up in a tent outside the building, their voices rising in what amounted to a feathered political rally against proposed legislation that could reshape poultry ownership in California.

The demonstration was organized by the California Association for the Preservation of Gamefowl to draw attention to Assembly Bill 928, authored by Assemblymember Chris Rogers. Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill would prohibit anyone from keeping or raising more than 25 roosters and would impose financial penalties for violations. On the surface, it sounds like a reasonable safeguard—the bill’s supporters argue it targets cockfighting, describing the practice as barbaric and a widespread criminal industry despite being illegal across the United States and under federal law.

But here’s where things get complicated. Opponents contend that AB 928 doesn’t actually address cockfighting directly. Instead, they argue it threatens legitimate farmers and ranchers. The California Association for the Preservation of Gamefowl points out that heritage gamefowl breeding has deep roots in California’s Latino, Filipino, and rural farming communities—making the 25-rooster cap potentially discriminatory against cultural practices that predate the bill by generations. It’s a clash between animal welfare concerns and cultural heritage, and the roosters at the Capitol were there to make that point loud and clear.

AB 928 is currently working its way through the Assembly Agriculture Committee and the Judiciary Committee. The group plans to meet with legislators to push for what it calls responsible, evidence-based regulation rather than a blanket restriction. It’s a reminder that even well-intentioned laws can have unintended consequences when they don’t account for the communities most affected. And sometimes, the most effective lobbyists are the ones with feathers and a good set of lungs.