Aggressive RIR cross mutts

[PeeperKeeper]

Does anyone know if RIRs are more aggressive as chicks? And possibly crossbreds as well showing signs of aggressiveness?
I have 90 mutts whose sire was a RIR. The mothers were EE, BR, Columbian, Brahman, Turken, Buff Rock and BOs.
I would have thought that the BO crosses would have been the more docile but are proving to be the most aggressive in the lot.
Any thoughts from anyone else that has had any experience raising mutts?

I don't think I'll cross anything with RIR ever again!

 

[amarook]

My RIR chicks a 7 weeks, and they are the most fun, sweet little guys so far.

I have 2 week old BOs, and I don't know if they are all roosters or what, but they seem to me at least to be way more aggressive than my RIRs.

 

[PeeperKeeper]

Weird! Just makes me want to put them ALL in the freezer!

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

Out of 11 chicks we bought (5 different breeds), 2 were production reds (or RIRs?). One had to be returned to the store because it would peck at the other chicks until they bled (and would have continued, but we separated the other 2 pecked chicks). We exchanged it for another production red. That chick was okay for about a week and then it turned cannablistic and wouldn't leave the others alone (at only 3-4 weeks of age). It was returned - not exchanged.

These peckings happened outdoors during their time in a tractor - plenty of grass, etc - they were not hot, or too confined - no reason for the pecking. Since returning those two chicks, the rest have done wonderfully, including the one remaining production red. This remaining PR (now a laying pullet)along with our 2 barred rocks is more more of a bully to our new pullets than the rest of the flock is. She is wonderful with us though.

 

[sonew123]

I have 1 BO roo 2 BO hens and 1 RIR hen--she is aggresive to us-I rescued her a few months ago-she gets along fine with the 3 other chickens bt wont let us get near her..BUT>>> she gives me great fertile eggs and awesome double yolkers--The BO hens are sweet and so was my roo until he started mating a few months ago--we have 2 of their chicks 3 1/2 weeks old-sweet as pie!! we handle them alot-we also tried to put them in a pen of 7 week olds-( I got last week) mixed with silkies -barred cochins-EE's they got their butts kicked in 5 minutes-they now have their own broder again!! But I love them my very first babies from egg!

 

[KinderKorner]

I've hatched tons of RIR crosses.

I have noted that the RIR/EE crosses have hatched out first in ALL of my batches. They are also very agressive as chicks. They fly at you as you feed them, peck hands, chase.

But when they get older they turn more flightly, and scare easily. Some will be agressive, some will just be scardy cats.

But there is an exception! The roosters are the only ones who are agressive like this.

Because my absolutely best, and friendliest chicken is an RIR/EE hen. Believe it or not.
She follows you around everywhere, climbs into your lap. And begs to be held all the time.

RIR roosters agressive, most EE roosters are agressive. And when mixed together create a super mean breed of roosters!. lol

But ee hens are loveable, and rir hens are loveable. So together the hens are sweet.

It's quite weird. But after hatching about 5 batches or RIR crosses. This is the conclusion I have come up with.

Others may get different results.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

I dont think mixing thickens creates behavior problems in birds. Just some chickens are bad apples.

 

[speckledhen]

My most docile, quiet, non-aggressive birds are my breeder quality, deep red RIR hens. They mind their own business, let me pet them on the nest, reach under them with no protest, etc. I think you may find the temperament of hatchery stock in this breed is a bit sketchy at times compared to the much larger, calmer breeder birds. That said, I have one hatchery RIR who is quite the character, but quiet, she is not. I dont think crossing them has anything to do with it.

 

[zippy11455]

I've had RIR roosters that were the meanest, nastiest animals imaginable. They would kill each other, attack people and crow all day long. The hens from the same batch of hatchery straight run were fine once the roosters were butchered. My mistake was not putting them in the freezer sooner. In my defense, they turned into roosters overnight. One day they were peeping (aggressive, but not killers) young birds, the next day testosterone kicked in and the Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde personality came out. It left an impression on me, I've never ordered straight run again.

My sisters 2 RIR hens are really nice, friendly birds. They are over 2 yrs old and each lay an egg almost every day.

 

[Kev]

Aggression has a genetic basis and definitely can be passed on & show up in crosses.

It's not uncommon for roosters from lines bred strictly for production to have rather high aggression tendencies- it's genetically inclined in their case. That said, it does seem hatchery RIR are famous for being aggressive.. in case anyone gets defensive, it's LINES, not the breed specifically.