What goes into raising a friendly roo?

What breed is that? He's pretty.

He is a blue isbar/Brahma I can pick him up anytime I want.

gimmie birdies said:

He is a blue isbar/Brahma I can pick him up anytime I want.

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Wait, did I just read "Blue Isbar cross?" I haven't met many other people who have them! Did you hatch him out from your flock?

~Alex

TheTwoRoos said:

Your reason why he is attacking is because you spent no real time with him.people say roosters not held,or spoiled are not aggressive,this isn't true.

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I agree! If I had wanted him to be friendlier, I probably should have held more than I did.

~Alex

Replying because I also want to subscribe to this thread. I have 3 young roosters. None are snots at the moment and all three get along other than a little chest bumping once in awhile. 2 are 3 1/2 months and one is 3 months. The leader at this point seems to be the "hatchery" RIR who it seems is going to be a magnificent rooster. His feathers are continuing to come in a deep dark red that looks black. He is the one I handled as a chick. The other 3 1/2 mo. Is a BR, he made a run at me at around 6 weeks and I held him down for a few minutes before I let him up and he keeps his distance from me. He submits immediately to the RIR. They sleep together. The 3 mo. Old is a New Hampshire also hatchery stock and also beautiful deep orange red coloring. He never "hangs" with the other two but occasionally runs up and he and the RIR square off for just a minute or so. None of the 3 pay me much mind at all. I know I will likely not be able to keep all three but for now I am just watching their behavior. The RIR runs everyone including the other two roosters into the coop at night and is the last to go in after he patrols the run a couple times. I know people locally who have wonderful RIR roosters but on this forum all I read is how horrid they are. I see no reason at this point to get rid of any one of them if they are behaving. I know hormones are coming and I will have the ability to have bachelor quarters if needed. I guess if there is a question in this it would be...what do I watch for in behavior besides the obvious of getting rid of one(or more) if they are aggressive?

Other behaviors to look for in a good cockerel would be how he approaches the pullets and hens as he begins to mate. A good cockerel will not be overly rough and aggressive, "smooth" in his actions instead of brutal, and the girls will emit few complaints when he mates them.

Another thing that marks a good cockerel to earmark to keep is how he behaves when he's near you. He should automatically move out of your way as you approach him. You shouldn't need to halt your forward movement or step out of his way. He should smoothly remove himself from your path.

If he pecks at your hand when he's near you when you reach for something near him, you may reconsider keeping that one. Likewise, if he sneaks up behind you when your back is turned, that's not one with a peaceful future.

Just a heads up on roos that do get along, I had 3 roosters, I didn't get rid of any because they got along and were hatched together.. one was my favorite of course "Zippy" he was very sweet, EE bantam. the ladies loved him, and I gave him alot of attention. one day though the other 2 took him out. If you have a rooster you love just be warned you can lose him to roosters you don't care about, unless you take them out.

Alex- I have pure GFF Blue Isbar hens, hatched from eggs I got from a lady who has first gen. I bred my Blue Isbar with a Brahma I had, who was a very nice rooster, but I wanted smaller roos so He became soup. This rooster is a large roo, but he is so friendly I don't plan on processing him any time soon.

This boy loves to be held, and gets kisses every day.

azygous said:

Other behaviors to look for in a good cockerel would be how he approaches the pullets and hens as he begins to mate. A good cockerel will not be overly rough and aggressive, "smooth" in his actions instead of brutal, and the girls will emit few complaints when he mates them.

Another thing that marks a good cockerel to earmark to keep is how he behaves when he's near you. He should automatically move out of your way as you approach him. You shouldn't need to halt your forward movement or step out of his way. He should smoothly remove himself from your path.

If he pecks at your hand when he's near you when you reach for something near him, you may reconsider keeping that one. Likewise, if he sneaks up behind you when your back is turned, that's not one with a peaceful future.

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Thank you! The BR will peck at my hand sometimes when I reach for something. :/ hmmm...I will be watching that more closely. He was already low on my list, that doesn't help him. My RIR normally moves out of my way. He will come over to see if I have a tidbit or treat. The New Hampshire stays out of my way also, he usually just ignores me. He is second on my list because as part of the 3 mo. Bunch, he will run interference when the ISA's get picked on or chased. Sometimes he will patrol the run with the RIR until everyone goes in the coop at night. Thanks again for giving me things to watch.

gimmie birdies said:

Just a heads up on roos that do get along, I had 3 roosters, I didn't get rid of any because they got along and were hatched together.. one was my favorite of course "Zippy" he was very sweet, EE bantam. the ladies loved him, and I gave him alot of attention. one day though the other 2 took him out. If you have a rooster you love just be warned you can lose him to roosters you don't care about, unless you take them out.

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Yikes! Yeah, I have to say I have a very soft spot for the RIR, I call him Big Red.....original huh? Also food for thought. Thanks!