Befriending a Rooster?

[(chicken pun)]

If you hand tame a rooster and spend lots of time with it, can it free range without becoming aggressive towards you? I kinda want to keep a rooster so this will be very important info.

 

[fawndane]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! I have 2 roos (Pat & Buckle) and I have spent so much time with them that they're very tame. (I used hand feeding, picking them up often, walking around with them, etc..)

Unfortunately, not all roos are this way.. Even specific breeds (such as Polish) are naturally aggressive.

If you want a pet rooster, try to search up friendly chicken breeds. I would def raise it from a chick, so it would be very used to you. (One of my roos is a Barred Plymouth Rock, and a mixed breed. Both incredibly sweet. )

 

[chicknmania]

Yes. A certain amount depends on breeding and just the individual, but we've had lots and lots of roosters, and we've only had one mean one in 12 years. We spend a lot of time just out with the flock, and i don't necessarily hand tame them...(not sure what exactly you mean unless you're talking about handling them). We just talk to ours, give them treats, and we are kind to them, and spend some time with them...and they are respectful of us. I mean we handle them when they are chicks, up til around 6 weeks, and after that if they have a problem where they need help, but other than that, not really. I seriously think roosters can tell when people are afraid of them, and that's when problems start. I've never been afraid of any of ours, even the mean one we had (who challenged and was killed by a skunk, lol). If you want to be extra sure, pick a breed that has a reputation for being friendly and laid back, like a Jersey Giant maybe, or Speckled Sussex are very laid back...so is our Dominique rooster. But that's no guarantee, either. We have had all kinds, and mixed breeds, and they're all very sweet natured towards people.

 

[sunshine ducky]

Hi there! In my experience a rooster will be tame once you bond it with it; Weather it is free ranging or not. One key thing about purchasing a rooster is picking a generally docile breed. I do personally recommend purchasing a silkie rooster. Throughout my poultry keeping I’ve noticed that silkie roosters are very easy to train, naturally tame and are very cute. Hoped this help if you have any more questions on Roos feel free to ask!

 

[(chicken pun)]

@bluee @chicknmania @sunshine ducky I was thinking about getting a brahma rooster because of how friendly brahmas are and how big the roosters can get (fun fact: the world record holder for the world biggest rooster is a brahma rooster)

 

[sunshine ducky]

@bluee @chicknmania @sunshine ducky I was thinking about getting a brahma rooster because of how friendly brahmas are and how big the roosters can get! (fun fact: the world record holder for the world biggest rooster is a brahma rooster)

Brahmas are the perfect rooster breed to start with. I used to have one a few years ago. They’re great friendly birds, they guard the girls well, they have superior plumage to keep themselves warm In the winter, I just cannot say enough about them. Please post some photos of him if you decide to get one!

 

[Rye]

If you purchase the cockerel from a show breeder, chances are they cull for man aggression. Man aggression is a heritable trait, though cannot be bred out completely.

 

[sunshine ducky]

If you purchase the cockerel from a show breeder, chances are they cull for man aggression. Man aggression is a heritable trait, though cannot be bred out completely.

Oh wow, never heard of that, I should look into it. But in my experience they’re very nice breeds

 

[(chicken pun)]

@Rye I get most of my chickens from here https://www.mypetchicken.com/

 

[Rye]

@Rye I get most of my chickens from here https://www.mypetchicken.com/

I mean no disrespect to you or that hatchery, but they are not culling for aggression. Like all hatchery's they are focused on egg laying. The breeds portrayed normally do not meet the standards of the breed and the males are aggressive, which in turn creates cockerel/cock/rooster hate. That doesn't mean you can't get a good rooster or a good representative of the breed, but it's rare.