Buff Orp Rooster Survey

[member 142084]

I am just trying to get a grasp on the friendliness of Buff Orpington Roosters. I have 7 at the moment taht are about 2 months old.

So if you could do a survey for me that'd be great! Please feel free to adlib a little detail to

a) Scale of 1-5

1 a completly viciouse prick 2 agressive 3 ok if you leave him alone 4 keeps to himself 5 friendly and or cuddly

b) if 1-3 at what age did they start showing agression

Example for multiple roosters


Rooster #1 = 4

#2 = 5


Thanks a bunch

 

[member 142084]

hey anyone have Buff Orp Roos? I read about how roosters can be dangerous around children. I am trying my best to increas our chances of keeping them safe with a rooster. My little guy is chicken obsessed- I'd hate to break his heart and have to keep him locked out of the coop.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I've had a few BO roos. They weren't cuddly by any means, but they would eat out of mine and my kids hands. Personality, in my opinion, depends on the individual bird and roosters can be tricky. Usually, if they are going to be aggressive, it'll start when they're teens and their hormones start acting up. Though it is also possible for them to be sweet as peach one week and turn rotten the next. I don't allow my children into the coop unless I'm there to supervise. Shoot, some hens can be down right nasty and little ones faces are close to the ground. Your Buff Orpington will more then likely be a big guy, but he will more then likely be a nice guy too and you've got lots to choose from. Good luck!

 

[ButchGood]

I have 2 buff orpington roosters. One is in a pen all by himself because he is a huge #1.He'll attack me at any time and harass all the other birds relentlessly. The other one isn't bad at all, I'd give him a #3, but he has taken a run at me and bit me.
They both are 17 weeks old and started showing aggression at about week 14. Both are going to freezer camp along with a Australorp Roo. The one I'm keeping is a Big Australorp, he's between a 3 and a 4. He watches everything I do. If I grab one of his hens he gets a little cocky, but he has never flogged me. He looks like he will be a good Rooster for a free range flock.

 

[member 142084]

Thats good to know... I also will be eating any agressive roosters. The kids hold them everyday as do I. My hens are all sweet and docile.... they just try to eat your clothing and shoes- and watchout for bare toes lol. Did either of you handle your roosters much when they were growing up?

 

[member 142084]

I also read that if a rooster attacks to have a bucket of soft dog toys an throw all of them at the rooster everytime you go in until he's.... humbled himself.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Question?

Is your Buff Orpington hatchery or exhibition quality?

Big difference. Man6y hatcheries will introduce Leghorn etc bloodlines to increase egg production. Those will get agressive and mean

Exhibition type bred to the Standard of Perfection are very gentle.

Scale of 1-5... Ours is a 10!

Our only hatchery Orpington male, a 1. (We keep him to display the differences at shows and fairs).

Here is an example of a SOP type Orpington and a hatchery Orpington.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

The best way to handle an agressive rooster....

Place him in a small rabbit hutch. Barely enough room to walk around. Give plenty of water. No feed. Only allow him to eat from a cup in your hand. After a week, only allow him to eat feed from your hand (without a cup). When feeding/watering all other poultry, place the aggressive bird under your arm. Carry him EVERYWHERE while doing your chores. Soon he will associate the pleasure of eating with you and your embrace. You will find any aggressive can be retrained and become friendly to humans.

If they can not be retrained and are not a valuable breeder.... Dumplins works well around here!

 

[member 142084]

Thats how I look at it too... dinner time Thank you for the input that will be most helpfull. I ordered my roosters from cackle hatchery (straight run style) My older hens are from the feed store. I have noticed that some have tails and others don't. One of my hens even has a little speckled brown on the longer tail feathers. I was to keep them all pure so I only have buff orps. I researched for the best breed to suit our needs: Meat size, good egg production, lays in winter, quiet, and more docile. I figured I had a fair chance of getting a kind and safe rooster. Then I saw other people posts about their mean ones. That's why I am trying to figure out my chances.
Your rooster is gorgeous! So size and more of a prominent mane dictates which type of stock I ended up with? They are about 2 months old and are about half the size of the hens who are 2 months older. The largest one has a more prominent comb, is a cocky as I'll get out, and has some tail feathers. The other roos are smaller but all the same size and they do not have tail feathers just a ploom. Their combs are more rounded and shorter than the 1st. I'll have to take some pictures later. I am babysitting kids most of the week on top of my own.

I have a rabbit hutch inside the coop which I did intend to use for aggressive roosters when I let the kids in. However, I have 7 roosters and they potentially wouldn't fit if they are all buggars. I plan to keep 2 and give one to a friend the rest are meat. I was told 5 months is a good age to butcher size wise, does that seem right?

 

[Arielle]

I have 2 non-hatchery roosters. Both are a 4.

Mind there own business, don't come for cuddles, fairly easy to catch with 2 people. Once caught, pure gentlemen.