Are ALL roosters going to flog/challenge me? Is there such a thing as a "nice" roo?

[Summer98]

I think I need to say goodbye to one of my roosters after he tried to attack me tonight. I believe the term is "flog" if that's what it was. He squawks, bites at my hand, jumps up and down, and then kicks his feet and spurs onto me until he makes my hands bleed. I was not impressed. He had never done this before and there were no other birds around when he did it. The other birds had gone in to roost for the night. I will not tolerate an aggressive bird. It's a bit of a shame to get rid of him, since I like his crow, he's beautiful, and I raised him. Do I need to kick him or something to show him I'm alpha? Or will that just bring on more of a challenge to fight more? It's not worth it to me anyway.

But what I'm wondering is are ALL roosters going to behave this way? Or is there such a thing as a "nice" rooster? Obviously people DO keep roosters, but you wouldn't keep them if they were so mean. I have not petted or held this rooster. The only thing I have done is let him eat out of my hand. My other rooster has not challenged me yet, but he is slower to mature. I'm wondering if he is going to be the same way next? What would be considered a "nice" rooster? Simply one that doesn't attack? One that allows you to pet it? One that is good to the hens? Hmmm?

Well, in the meantime, I'm not sure how to deal with meanie roo.

 

[donrae]

I've had several roosters that never challenged me. I'm naturally a dominate type with my animals and most of the time it's just not an issue.

On the other hand, my sweet as pie 2 year old bantam cochin rooster just decided to go after me a few months ago. I kicked the snot out of him until he was hiding from me, and it would be okay for a few days, then he'd be after me again. I let it go too long, mostly as he was a bantam and I liked him soo much. I finally realized if it was one of my big guys I would have done him in weeks ago and had my honey dispose of him. He was the last roo I ever would have thought would become aggressive, and at that age.

I hate to say it, but sounds like he "bested" you once already and that will make it harder to be top dog to him. He won once and will keep thinking he can win again.

 

[speckledhen]

Of course there is such a thing as a good-tempered rooster, but you have to keep the non-human-aggressive ones and cull the rest. Temperament is passed down to the sons. Why put up with a human-aggressive rooster when you can have one like my Isaac, who does his duty, and is completely easygoing and friendly?

Check out the video in this post for proof of what a rooster can be like:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/384349/sdwd/14610#post_8894682
Another video from photobucket: http://s673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/Mtnviewpoultry/Video Clips/?action=view&current=DSCN5537.mp4

He came from a line of Delawares selected for temperament, though not every one turned out as mellow as Ike. He's gotten even sweeter as he's gotten older (he's over 3 years)-he was never babied as a youngster, rarely even handled. It's just his nature. I had an aggressive Delaware cockerel. He became stew.

My blue Orp has never nipped, rushed and certainly never flogged me in his entire almost-six years. His sons are the same calm and easy-going mannered males 99% of the time.

Aggressive males don't get to stay here, period. They can do everything they need to do without attacking the hand that feeds them.

ETA: My personal theory, and some would disagree, is that some of it is a function of intelligence. The stupid ones attack the humans who bring food and water. The more intelligent ones understand who is in charge over them, who is their benefactor, though they don't think in those exact terms. Temperament is heritable and I don't want to propagate the "stupid gene".

If my blue Orp was the slightest bit aggressive, he'd certainly have challenged me over his drama-queen hens, who scream and act like we're killing them when we have to handle them. He's allowed to watch us, to be concerned about what we're doing with the hens, but never to rush or challenge us, and he never has. Neither has my Delaware.

 

[gstuartw]

I agree with SpeckledHen, I have had 8 different roos and none have been aggressive towards humans. Our main one did rush towards me the other day when I picked up his girlfriend and she squawked. He ran at me and stopped at my feet, I thought I might have a fight on my hands. If I ever had a human aggressive roo I would definitely cull him. There are enough people wanting to get rid of roosters (Craigslist) that you can find a good one that isn't human aggressive.

 

[Summer98]

Go figure, my first one has to be a bad one. I think I will get rid of Blue. I'm going to hang on to the Brahma rooster a little longer, since he hasn't shown any aggression towards me yet. If he does, then he will be gone too. I actually enjoy the crowing, so it's unfortunate that I can't get a good one.

 

[n8ivetxn]

Don't give up - you'll get a good one! I had 3 roos, different breeds....Two lost their minds and became suicidal! They're in the freezer now.... The other, was always a little shy, but friendly. He comes up to me, but not close enough to touch and occassionally I walk towards him just to make him move out of my way - and he always does....

When I bring treats, he runs up and waits for me to drop it/them and then breaks it up and calls the girls over....

If you're close to western WA, I would give him to a good home. He's a gorgeous Blue Copper French Marans, 1 year old. I'm growing out some boys and maybe focusing on another breed....

 

[chickenzoo]

I've had stupid ones that I have brought around but most of my Roos are sweet as pie or they just stand off at a distance.....and I have a lot of Roos. But I don't have children etc to worry about them hurting. Sometimes people unknowingly train a roo to be aggressive.....some Roos just are. I have a more dominant stance about me, as I work with horses etc so it is just natural. I don't let young Roos think they are higher than me. I don't move out of their way... They move. I don't let them grab food from me etc.... Their are good ones out there... If you were closer I'd give ya one......

 

[chickenlover237]

i have a nice little roo and he's sitting in my lap now! he's a pheonix bantam and he loves to let me sneak him in for a nap

 

[Summer98]

I'm jealous. Well, I haven't had any more episodes with him, but he's on craigslist. I'm going to keep the Brahma rooster yet. He is scared of me, but that's ok.