Aggressive roosters

[riversedgefarms]

does the severity of aggression with roosters vary between breeds? Our first rooster we got last summer is very calm and not aggressive towards humans or the hens at all. He is more scared of us than anything. He’s a mixed breed but not to sure what kind. This spring we ordered 10 americaunas and 3 were roosters. They are extremely aggressive to our hens especially our older ones. Since they are so much bigger we are worried they may hurt one of the hens. Is that common?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Roosters can be real jerks, and yes, some of it does depend on breed.

Easter Eggers (which, I am going to guess, is what your Americaunas are) are generally pretty docile, but like dogs, sometimes that depends on hatchery strain. They also might be acting out because they have other boys around. And, of course, young roosters are experiencing a huge hormone surge. If they're hurting your hens, separate, butcher, or give them away. I doubt you want four roosters.

 

[Rye]

Has more to do with the breeding program than breed. If you cull for man aggression then you are a lot less likely to have offspring that carry this trait.

Hatchery's normally do not cull for man aggression. So it's a crap shoot as far as aggression goes in hatchery stock.

 

[catlud12]

Have 3 Roos, the buff polish is evil... If my husband didn't like him so much the roo would be in the soup pot!

 

[6th_Happiness]

it is a combo of both nature and nurture.... more hens and more space will lesson aggression, but some breeds are more prone than others....

i recently took in 2 sumatra roos from an urban byc keeper. besides the crowing, they were fighting. i was clear, if they continued to fight, i'd have to rehome or slaughter the more agressive one. i have many hens, and an established roo. Happily, the newcomers stayed quiet for some weeks, then staked out their territory and hens... they patrol their territorities, with some overlap from the established roo, but no fighting. crowing is moderate.

i've done similiar with mice and other rodents.... fanciers 'accept' the males will be territorisl.... urine mark and fight, sometimes to death.... if they did, i retired them and their offspring (eg snake food), or used them very carefully if they had other rare, valuable traits..... if they did not fight as much (and this is a sliding scale when you start out), i used their offspring.... i soon had males living in 'bachelour cages', i could remove one to breed, return it , and no fighting.... what is sometimes generally acceptable by tradition doesnt hold up to application.... if one is willing to try.