Best breed choice for "friendly" rooster

[Warfrost]

I hope I am in the right topic are for this post...

I am getting ready to start my flock, just waiting for the coop. I want to have everything preplanned before I purchase, including my rooster(we have a lot of local predators...coyotes, neighborhood dogs, and hawks, etc.). I also have kids, and would prefer a breed that can be friendly to people, but still protective from animals. I have been looking at several breeds for a rooster, and I wondered what others would recommend.

I have been interested in getting a Phoenix rooster, because of course they are stunningly gorgeous, but I haven't found any notes anywhere as to how tameable they are. I also have considered a Wyandotte, and the Golden Laced Polish. I am not sure if I can go with any breed I want, or if there are particular breeds that tend to be better "pets" . Any suggestions?

Oh, and whatever we get will be "my baby"(spoiled and frequently cuddled).

Michael

 

[gritsar]

Hi and welcome to BYC!

I have a large fowl dark brahma rooster. I don't consider him friendly, but he is a good protector of my hens and is respectful of my SO and me. He's managed to connect the dots and understand that while he is the leader of the flock, my SO and I are the ultimate alphas and there's no need for him to protect the hens from us.
My hens are for loving. My rooster is for protection.

 

[horsejody]

My Phoenix roo was a doll. I had him for years, and he never attacked a human. He was good to his hens too. I miss him terribly. He was my favorite rooster. He was killed by dogs.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Welcome.

LF Light Brahmas, Silkies, or Bantam Cochins are all very docile.

 

[BellLisamo]

my friend lexa has a very very gentle giat. hes an astrolorpe.

i have a giant buff orpington, he likes to be petted and wont even charge me when i grab one of his girls and they scream for help

 

[Sunny Side Up]

and welcome to the wonderful world of chickeneering.

You're sure to get all sorts of opinions here from different members recommending breeds of roosters they've had good experiences with. There are also books available that list all the common chicken breeds and give generalities about their characteristics.

But know that individual birds can vary from the tendencies of their breed. You're right to do your research in advance, to try to find the breed whose roos tend to be less aggressive, more managable. However, be prepared with a Plan B for that bird in case he starts any trouble. No matter how handsome or how fond of him you've gotten, there are too many mannerly roosters available for anyone to have to put up with an uppity bird.

Sometimes it helps to handle them a lot when they're chicks, but that doesn't work with every one. Some breeds are so flighty that even as chicks they don't want to be held. The important thing is that your birds know they can trust you to treat them with kindness, that they don't have reason to fear you.

I've found the production breeds tend to have less manners, the Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, and the Rocks. I've had good experiences with Ameracauna, Jersey Giant & Cochin roosters, they were docile & tolerated handling. I don't mind if a rooster doesn't want to be held, as long as he doesn't sneak up & spur me when my back is turned.

I wish you well with your new feathered friends, let us know what you decide!

 

[MagsC]

I have heard good things about any of the varieties of Brahmas....

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Cubalaya, best all around cockbird! They make pretty babies too.

 

[vortec]

Quote:
I have been wondering about gentle roos too, and I have a bunch of light brahma roo chicks so this comes as good news that the breed tends to be gentle. I might try to hang on to one, but I now know after this last weekend that I have the solution to a bad roo, and that home raised chicken tastes sooo good. lol

vortec

 

[soctippy]

each rooster has it's own personality; so when i tell you that my phoenix rooster was the meanest chicken i have ever had there will be people who strongly disagree. I have found cochan brahma roosters of any color to be very gentle and nice.