Choosing a rooster

[funny bone]

Tomorrow 5 chickens will be moving to the freezer. I have had such a hard time choosing who will go and who will stay. I think I have made up my mind about the hens - the two oldest will be "voted off." But I have 4 young roosters, and am having a hard time deciding between two of them. One is the natural head honcho, but he is not a "pet" type, whereas the other rooster is larger and I like him better, as he likes me and likes to be around me when I have the gang out and about. I so enjoy my chickens helping me clean up the garden and other projects, so I want them to be friendly. Is there any advantage in choosing the one that is naturally dominant, or should I choose the one with the "pet quality?"

 

[ButchGood]

I picked the biggest rooster. He has a pretty good attitude. I dont bother him, he dosn't bother me. I don't choose the "pet" type. Im after a rooster that takes care of the ladies.

 

[janinepeters]

I see no reason to choose the naturally dominant one. Not that I have tons of experience with roos, but from what I've seen thus far, the more dominant ones are not necessarily more inclined to protect the hens. I had 2 roos for awhile. Both used to feed the hens, but only the lower ranking one would protect them. In response to a hawk threat, he would stay out and crow, and then when the hawk moved on, he would find all the hens and escort them back to the coop one by one. Quite touching and amazing, actually. Meanwhile, the dominant roo would be hiding in the garage, in their old brooder box, no less!

 

[Folly's place]

How old are they? What breed? Your flock goals? The 'friendliest' cockrel just might become the one that challenges YOU later! I might consider the largest most bird oriented cockrel instead. Mary

 

[donrae]

Personally I don't want my roosters to be friendly, I look for respectful. This does not mean they are afraid of me, but they respect me and don't infringe on my personal space. That's number one for me.
Next is how they treat the ladies. Who calls for treats, courts the girls, etc. Any "wham-bam" types are on the to-go list, although age does help that some.

After that is size, color, etc. Roos gotta be pretty to live here.

 

[funny bone]

Thank you all for your posts! I guess I get a bit too attached to my chickens so it makes these decisions harder. I have decided to go with the more dominant roo even though he is not the biggest, prettiest, or friendliest to me, but he does seem like a very good roo for the hens sake. He is good sized, not ugly, and not aggressive toward me (one of the 4 roos is somewhat agressive toward me, but he will be one of the ones in the freezer) and the hens like him and he treats them nice. I will be hard to do in my "pet," but I will have some "pet" hens anyway.

 

[ButchGood]

My Guy is 8 months old. He doesn't want to be picked up, petted, coddled or hand fed. He wants to be left alone to take care of his flock. He will take a run at you now and then, but will not touch you. If a dog or cat gets to close he'll go after them and run them off. He's good with my dog because he was raised with her. Ive seen him run after a low flying hawk. He doesn't like them. He hasn't been truly tested yet, and I hope it stays that way. We only had one predator attack and that was a snake on a young roo that he did not see. He always gives what he finds to his hens first as far as I can tell. His name is Big Black. Pretty Australorp, hatchery bird, that may explain his attitude. I'm the kind of guy that will not tolerate a Nasty Roo. If he starts following through with his threats he won't last long. But so far I'm extremely happy with my Roo.

 

[Folly's place]

Butchgood, he's a very handsome boy! I've had cock birds that became people aggressive as they got older; one turned into a real jerk at age three! Zero tolerance works for me. Mary

 

[Chesterchook]

Pick the pet! you need a chicken who'll be comfortable with you!

 

[lynyrd]

pick the one u get along with best. no attack rooster allowed