Are slower or faster maturing roosters better tempered?

[chippysmom327]

I have a slow maturing rooster, and a fast maturing rooster. I have to get rid of one.

The slower maturing one is sooo sweet, and falls asleep in my arms. The faster maturing one doesn't let me hold him at all, and is already crowing. They're both 8 weeks old.

In your experience, which type is typically a better/nicer rooster? A faster maturing, or slower maturing?

They're bantams, and I know that these are typically more agressive.

 

[Wyandottes7]

I would keep the slower maturer. I have a cockerel that matured VERY slowly, and he has remained the sweetest and gentlest of all of my cockerels.

 

[chippysmom327]

Thanks for the opinion! I asked someone else and they said he was the meanest they ever had! But mine seems very shy and sweet. So I'll probably keep him.

 

[Millard]

I would keep the slower maturer. I have a cockerel that matured VERY slowly, and he has remained the sweetest and gentlest of all of my cockerels.

Sorry to barge in, but do you remember how slow did he mature by any chance? In months maybe?
I think I also have really slow maturers and it would be nice to know they will actually get some swagger

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Acre4Me]

I have a 15 month old BJG -slow to mature. He is not bad, but does show some mild aggression, and we will potentially get rid of him later this year. We also had a BA, of normal maturing rate, and had to get rid of him at 11 months bc he had it in for the tween child. We also had very fast maturing DBL, and they were removed and cooked by 5 months as they did not stop crowing and were hormonal and mean to the pullets. Maybe they would have settled better if we have them more time (but they crowed ALOT).

My estimation is that it is more an individual trait, rather than slow or fast maturation.

At 8 weeks, they aren’t really the personality they will be once hormones kick in.

 

[Josip]

My really slow mature rooster is absolutely nightmare, I can't go inside coop without something in my hands that I can fight against him

 

[Araucana Nest]

I don't know if it is slow or fast maturation but you can tell by their laid back nature. Not much ruffles them, even as babies. That's how I pick my roos, all else being equal cause I believe temperament should mean as much as eye color, leg color, comb....

 

[Josip]

I buy him as 4 months old last year, and look at him now.

 

[Araucana Nest]

I buy him as 4 months old last year, and look at him now.

Well, he is beautiful, if that could be any consolation. I don't know anything about Turkens. I've been able to peg them early by their behavior. I buy as day old chicks or hatching eggs so I have a long window of observation.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Both fast, & slow maturing cockerels can be either friendly, or aggressive. I've only had one really aggressive cockerel who'd attack everyone, & picked fights with the other birds. He'd even try attacking us through the fence. His name was Mr. Evil, & he was a fast to mature silkie.

He became soup, & he was sure tasty, but had a bad attitude.