I have heard a rooster in person, close-up. It is pretty impressive, ear-splitting and tremendously wondrous! I think that was the desired effect. Talking with one of my neighbor chicken-keeping friends down the road he came up as he was escorting the hens across the road and he checked me out. She told me a bit about him. He hung around a bit, then let one loose. He was right next to me (really, 2 feet away) and was even looking at me while he did it. What was he saying? I thought maybe he was announcing himself and his territory? I told him it was great, that he was beautiful and it was nice, kinda loud, but I was impressed. She said he was her best rooster so far, did a good job protecting the hens, was people-friendly/tolerant enough, and had survived a horrible large weasel/fisher attack, yelling while running up to the house from down by the creek with it on his leg. He doesn't crow all the time.I have never actually heard a rooster crowing in person, but I can attest to the fact that hens can be very loud, especially when it comes to laying drama!
I was telling him today about roosters tidbitting and breaking up fights between the hens and he seemed really surprised.
Another neighbor across the hollow has a rooster that crows about every waking minute in the Spring and Summer, more often in the morning and less in the afternoon. About an eighth of a mile away, so it's not loud, but he's persistent, and if you don't like hearing it (I do like it) it could be annoying. Starting at dawn, going until dusk. Why is that, does anyone know? Last year was the first year we've heard a rooster from over there. I don't hear any crowing anywhere else nearby. To me it becomes just another background seasonal sound so it's okay. Last year when he suddenly stopped in the Fall we thought for sure they had taken him to freezer camp, but it sounded like the same guy again this year (but not sure about that though). So I'm guessing if it is the same guy he's a young rooster without a mentor to guide him. I think he's calming down, it's not been as often this year.