Befriending a Rooster?

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In my experience ...NO Rooster should be treated as a pet..They should be taught to be respectful of your space..I have a Brahma Rooster...He is a docile guy and treats his flock fantastic..He helps out in the rearing of Chicks and tidbits along with Momma Hen..I never allow him in my space and keep him at a good distance from me..I'm Top flock member and he trusts me..I never turn my back to him because that is a sign of submission and I never approach with quick movements and rushing..That would be a challenge to him...I carry the same pails in when feeding..I respect his space and he respects mine...If I have to catch Hens or Chicks I lock him out in the run...
 
I've had several roos that were aggressive and two that were not. The one I have right now, (pictured in my profile) is a Blue Wyandotte that I hand-raised. He's so tame I didn't realize he was a roo until he was more than half grown. Those big feet kinda gave him away then.
I'm gonna say it depends on the breed, how you raise it, and the individual bird, all three. My first roo was a mix breed, he was quite tame and a wonderful boy but really loud. So loud I finally had to rehome him to another chicken keeper with a flock far away from their house so the all hours crowing didn't keep anyone awake. I've tried Orpington, Astrolorp, Barred Rock, RIR and now the Wyandotte and had all but the Wyandotte turn aggressive at maturity.
Master Fluffybutt has been a dream rooster, quiet, gentle, very good to his hens and never aggressive to me. I'm no expert at raising chickens so I make all kinds of mistakes in handling but he's been one patient good bird.
 
I also don't try to make pets of my cockerels. I've had nice birds and total jerks, and those nasty birds don't stay!
'Manfighting' is genetic, just like many other behaviors out there. BUT handling also influences behavior, and will improve some and 'dis-improve' others. A really aggressive bird will be bad no matter what, and some that are sort of okay, will be happy to challenge a human who acts like a submissive individual.
I'm happy to have friendly interactive hens, but the cocks need to stay out of my space. I handle hens, wear whatever, and expect politeness at all times. No excuses! Mary
 
My take on things.... I raise all cockerels to be very respectful of humans. I think it is a bad idea to "befriend" a cockerel. Have had one exception in the quite a few I've raised but I don't recommend anyone new to keeping chickens/roosters think theirs is the "exception" right off the bat. Been there, done that---failed hard.

Once he reaches 2 years of age as a cock, then I might relax and let him be friendlier with me. All depends on the individual though. My current lead cock is great with people and I let him come up next to me, pick at buttons on my clothes, or take food from my hand. That's because he hasn't shown a lick of aggression and at this point I doubt he'll turn. He's still not my best buddy but we have a cordial relationship.
 
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Ok,I'm going to catch a lot of flack but it's fine. I have a little mixed flock with a faverolles cockrel "he's seven months old so not quite a man". He was raised with two pullets that were destined to be handled so he was handled as well. This means I broke every single rooster rule. I held him, petted him, hand fed him and let him all in my space .In a logical world i should have ruined him ...but i didn't. Today he's a terrific boy, always first at the coop door wanting a little treat and a beard scratch. He's been right by my side while i deal with issues pertaining to the hens in which there was squawking involved and has showed absolutely no aggression but he definitely did keep an eye on the situation. The only reasoning behind my luck with him is that he was just a good guy to begin with. And just a little bit of information, he is a MPC chicken but i did have to hatch him, so it isn't impossible to get a good one from that particular source. Good luck to you .:)
 
@Chickassan
I understand what your trying to say...Although new Chicken owners need to be told the best ways of raising Cockerels without the need of Culling once or if aggression takes place....Hormones get higher as Roosters mature and I never met one I would totally trust...One small thing can send them into attacking people or small Children...
 
I think if you want to have a certain relationship with anyone if your birds then go fer it. As long as you go into it with the foreknowledge that it may not work out and you have a plan for that eventually then all will be good. Personally with my next rooster(s) I plan to have a closer bond with him and if it doesn't work out then I'm sure he'll taste good. I hear mean roosters go good with stewed taters & carrots.
 

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