Chick imprinted on me is a male, will he be friendly?

[FolkSonginC]

I had several eggs in the incubator and only one hatched; it is now 5 days old and I learned it's a boy, as apparently he is sexlinked. I feel terrible that he doesn't have any other chicks to socialize with, but I have no way to get him any. I handled him soon after he hatched and he has completely imprinted on me: he cries when I'm out of the room, runs after me, tries to jump out of the brooder. It's not too hard on him because I am homeschooled, so he can be with me most of the time. But I'm worried that when he's an adult he will turn aggressive, as he is a rooster. If I continue to socialize with him, will he always be friendly? I'll love him regardless of whether or not he's always cuddly with me, but I really hope he doen't turn wild.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

It really depends on the individual. Socialization doesn't automatically turn roosters aggressive. However, it can bring out more aggressive tendencies in roosters that are already predisposed to it. For instance, an aggressive rooster raised to fear people might never show aggression, except to people he isn't scared of, such as children.

 

[Wezdin]

First of all, he is lonely and needs another chick to be with, is there any way at all you can get another? If not i would put a feather duster or stuffed animal in there to keep him company.

 

[FolkSonginC]

First of all, he is lonely and needs another chick to be with, is there any way at all you can get another? If not i would put a feather duster or stuffed animal in there to keep him company.

There's no way, as if I hatched more by the time they hatched he would be almost old enough to go with the flock, and the minimum for every hatchery I found online is around 6 chicks, which is too many. I have given him a couple stuffed animals, but he doesn't seem too interested. Maybe I will try a feather duster.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Do you have the father of this chick?

 

[FolkSonginC]

Do you have the father of this chick?

Yes, he is an EE

 

[CalBickieMomma]

I have raised individual chicks before (mama hen hatched out the babies and one or two eggs were left behind and I’d bring them in to hatch out). I had a roo once I raised on his own and he was the best (and if you look around the Internet, you’ll find plenty of stories/videos of people who have raised roos who are super sweet pets).

Having said that, the only aggressive rooster I couldn’t tame down (I’d have to use a towel to trap him when I went into his pen and he’d still try to attack me after I picked him up) was a game fowl I had rescued from a cat when he was about 2 weeks old (but I had another game fowl rooster who was not aggressive).

I’d say keep handling him as much as you can (even keeping him in you lap when you study or read), and if he starts to show aggression when he hits maturity (around 5 months), let him know he’s not the boss of you (if he runs at you, stand your ground and even run at him - without stepping on him, of course. If he pecks you, pin him down for a little bit so he knows you’re the dominant rooster).

My Buff Orpington boy was showing mild signs of aggression a month ago and I made sure to nip it in the bud quickly. He’s a pretty sweet boy, but will peck every now and then when I startle him or when he’s in a feisty mood and I just remind him I’m in charge.

Anyway, I’m of the belief that handling roos when they’re little goes a long way. Hope it all works out for you and just remember: you’re the Mama Hen and you make the rules with your boy .

 

[ChocolateMouse]

"If I continue to socialize with him, will he always be friendly? I'll love him regardless of whether or not he's always cuddly with me, but I really hope he doen't turn wild."

Well, maybe. Maybe not. It's hard to say. Some people have had success with well socialized roosters but I never have. And scattered anecdotes of success isn't real data. All the roosters I've had that I tried to raise like I do hens - hands on - have turned out mean as heck. Most of the well experienced rooster keepers/breeders on here will tell you the same. The ones I raise hands off aren't cuddly but they don't flog me, bite me or peck me and I can pick up the hens without fear.

The real question is, regardless of how you raise him and especially if you attempt less tried and true methods, what are you going to do if he DOES turn out crazy and start attacking you? What are you going to do if he starts flogging you or trying to spur your face when you bend down to feed them? Are you comfortable with carrying a broom to defend yourself and watching your back 24/7 and risking other people getting injured? Is that going to scare you away from caring for the rest of your flock? Are you going to be able to lift and inspect hens safely with him there?

I would normally suggest raising him hands off starting immediately. Because he's an only chick I'm not sure how well that would work. Regardless of what you chose, make a plan for if he becomes aggressive, and a plan for if he becomes so aggressive you can't handle it.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Yes, he is an EE

Is he aggressive?

 

[Samloveschicks]

I'm really curious about this as well. I got a 3w old polish mix found on the street from some lady, and i'm thinking it is turning out a boy. Right now, it is super sweet and attached, comes when called, ect at about 3 months old. Seems to be a roll of the dice, though, from what I have read.
Ill let you know how mine starts acting in a few months! Hopefully he will maintain a good attitude.