The patriots of the American Revolution should not have succeeded. England was one of the most powerful nations in the world and had the ragtag rebels out-manned, out-gunned, out-trained and had far deeper pockets. No one ruled the high seas like the British navy and with Redcoat troops stationed everywhere it's amazing that even one victory could have occurred, much less the birth of a new nation.

As a result, the founders had to act with utmost secrecy. Many colonists were loyal to the Crown and would turn in any of the American patriots they heard plotting against the King. These loyalists looked no different than anyone else, of course, and spies could be anywhere. The circles of rebels were careful who they let in on their plans but even then it was possible for a Loyalist to eavesdrop on meetings that were not well-guarded.

In more rural locations it was found that a hen house was the ideal meeting place. Roosters in the yard were extremely territorial, so everyone in the clandestine meetings would be alerted by the sounds of a squawking or crowing cockerel if a sneaky British sympathizer stole near. Once this was found to be effective the patriots spread the word, and it became common practice to let a chicken catch a Tory.