I would disagree strongly with Coupe. I answer maybe three BYCers a week that held and petted and made friends with their rooster, and then he turns on them when he reaches sexual maturity. Often, these folks feel really betrayed, because the rooster was their favorite chicken, the one that came to be picked up and petted.
Roosters are not pets or friends. They are potentially dangerous animals. They should respect you. When you make friends with a rooster, you are anthropomorphizing them. When your rooster jumps into your arms, you think they love you. In fact, they are showing you that they are the boss. A rooster on your shoulder so he has his head higher than yours is absolutely the boss in his mind--the top bird gets the highest roost. The subordinate hens groom the rooster--all those times you pet him, you are showing him that he's the boss. Then, he tries to put you in your place, and all of a sudden he's the bad guy, when in his mind you've told him over and over again that you're subordinate by cuddling him and grooming him.
What you want is a respectful rooster. He will show that respect by moving away from you when you walk towards him. This is different than fear--a respectful rooster will still come running for treats, and won't be stressed by your being around. The best way to achieve this is to leave him alone. Basically ignore him.
Some young roosters will test you, and that's OK and not the worst thing in the world. The first time he makes an aggressive move, like looking at you with his head lowered and his neck feathers puffed up or sneaking up behind you, you flap your arms and squawk at the top of your lungs and chase him all around the yard. If you can catch him, pin him down to the ground. This usually puts them firmly in their place. If he does it much more, cull him. Notice that I did not say "the first time he attacks you." He'll have tested you beforehand, by making aggressive moves to see if you stop him. If you pay attention, you can nip a problem in the bud before it starts.
The OP has children, so they should not tolerate an aggressive rooster. I have a friend with a scar right next to his eye--he's lucky he didn't lose his sight--from a rooster attack when he was young. Kids' eyes are very close to the level where a rooster can spur them. Also, aggressive roosters are very scary to kids and can make them truly dislike chickens. Rooster don't show their true personalities until they are mature, so what they are like now may not be the way they stay. Cull attacking roosters immediately.
Now that I've probably scared the OP to death, let me say this: There are many, many sweet roosters in the world. I've had many, and can only think of a couple I've had to cull for aggression. Odds are, your roosters will not be aggressive. Start them off right and ignore them. Make pets of your chickens, but treat your rooster like the animal he is.
AND--to answer the original question, I'd post it on the Breeds, Genetics, and Showing section of the forum. I think you'll get a better response.
Thanks again you guys.
