Breeds and Gentleness in Roosters?

[hunthaven]

Hi, everyone!

I only want to keep 2 or 3 roosters, and I want gentle roosters. I currently have five cockerels as a result of my hatching, and most of them are too young to determine their temperament. My question is this: I'd like to have a flock of brahmas--is a Brahma rooster more likely to be gentle because Brahmas are typically gentle? IOW, does breed play a major role in determining a rooster's temperament? I'm thinking it must, because I have a five week old Leghorn/Hamburg rooster, and it's as flighty as the dickens. What do you all think? Oh--the picture is for fun.

 

[nchls school]

Some breeds are known to be gentle, but there is always many exceptions. I've only had one brahma rooster; while not mean he was not friendly either. My favorelle rooster is the most friendly, gentle rooster I've ever had other than my tiny serama.

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Yep.

Japanese bantam roosters seem like gentle ones, and would probably be pretty friendly if hand raised. And then I've heard good things about Barred Rock, Faverolles, Welsummer, Spitzhauben, White Sultan, and I'm thinking Cochin and Orpington roosters, too. But like stated above, just because some breeds are generally known for being more friendly, it also definitely depends on their individual personalities/temperaments. Like Wyandotte roosters I think are known for not being very nice or friendly, but I'm sure there's been rather mean Orpington roos, and very nice Wyandotte roosters.

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

Yep.

Japanese bantam roosters seem like gentle ones, and would probably be pretty friendly if hand raised. And then I've heard good things about Barred Rock, Faverolles, Welsummer, Spitzhauben, White Sultan, and I'm thinking Cochin and Orpington roosters, too. But like stated above, just because some breeds are generally known for being more friendly, it also definitely depends on their individual personalities/temperaments. Like Wyandotte roosters I think are known for not being very nice or friendly, but I'm sure there's been rather mean Orpington roos, and very nice Wyandotte roosters.

We have an Orpington rooster and other than the fact that he is super hard to catch, he’s actually pretty good. He is very watchful of the hens but doesn’t care much for our other rooster(which is a silkie and he hates everyone).

 

[Shadrach]

I would love to see some objective evidence that one breed of rooster is more aggressive than another.
I read lots of anecdotal stuff but it seems it is much like the reporting of dog behavior.
When I had a similar debate about aggressive dogs (at that time I had a Rottweiler) and got told that Rottweilers were aggressive by nature and were responsible for 'many' attacks on humans, the statistics I found at the time gave the King Charles Spaniel the honor of biting more people than any other dog. I think the figures were collected by the RSPCA in the UK.

 

[Chickenaddition]

@Brahmachicken240 He will let you know about brahma roosters. I would say it's better to hear from someone who has had several instead of just someone who has had one.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

My Brahma roosters have always been very friendly.
I breed brahmas, Brahmas are known to be generally friendly, docile, quiet and tame.
Mine will run up and greet anyone they see walking around our yard.
From my experience the larger heavier breeds tend to be the friendlier breeds.

 

[50-45-1]

Silver grey dorking was my gentlest rooster. The hens were very friendly also.

 

[hunthaven]

Beautiful birds! I have big dogs--mastiffs--and found the same rule holds true with dogs. The bigger, generally the more affable. . Gentle giants. Thanks for the input!

 

[msiler]

Beautiful birds! I have big dogs--mastiffs--and found the same rule holds true with dogs. The bigger, generally the more affable. . Gentle giants. Thanks for the input!

I agree with the dog part!! But, somehow I seemed to have missed out on the mean silkie roosters ... every single one I have owned has been just as sweet and gentle as the hens!!