Handling the chicks is not the problem. Spoiling and letting the chicken be in charge is the basis for the "some say never to hand-raise a cockerel". In the end, each bird is an individual. While generalizations can be discussed, you need to deal with the individual. Some roosters are more difficult than others. IF he is too much to deal with--gone. A breed stay sociable and tender because those that are not--gone.
Too true! I have an 8 month old cockerel, named Clifford, who is now head roo. He came from a line heavily mixed with show birds, with I think maybe some hatchery stock, mixed in years ago. The old lady who raised this line stood for no nonsense, and happily stewed those who didn't perform up to her expectations.What I ended up with is a small flock of Buff Os that lay an egg a day, even through 2 weeks of 100+ heat, and a Cockerel who knows what being a head roo is all about. Here's what I think being a head roo is all about......
When goodies are thrown out, Clifford does not eat them, but calls his girls. He will drop a treat for the girls, or for one of his chicks to eat.While the birds are out ranging, he is constantly running back and forth to all the different age groups checking on them. At the same time he has his eye out for predators, or for any of the young cockerels who are getting in trouble such as picking on chicks, or fighting. He stops that immediately.
During this heat wave he has managed this flock so that they would survive...with my help of course. Any time I put out more cold water, spray down the sand, or turn on a fan, Clifford calls his flock to me. I have been thrilled to see this. We are not breeding canaries. We are breeding Orps, no matter how beautiful, who should have some survival instincts.
While Clifford is totally gentle with me, he views with suspicion any strange man initially. All I do is tell him,"No", and he leaves that person alone. He did run off the tax accessor who came unannounced to see what I had done recently, though. Good boy!
