Choosing my imaginary rooster

[Mysterybirds]

While I very gently convince my husband that we DO need a rooster I am dreaming of what I will choose. Temperment is going to end up being a factor as I have two small children who like to be around the hens. Does anyone have any thoughts or anecdotes to share about brahmas or chanteclers? All my girls are standards.

 

[LynnGrigg]

My batam dark Brahma roo is three. I just traded a hen to a friend for him(She'd have given him to me without the trade but I thought she'd enjoy the hen) Anyway, he is three years old and so far a wonderful natured guy. He's patient with the hens and quiet. He has never run at me. It's nice to have a sweet roo. I've had some real nasty mean ones in the past. Much as I loved the beauty of the old Buff Orp, Sunny, that I had years ago, he was absolutely an attack guy. No one went into the lot without being attacked. I did also have some mutt (mixed breed roos) that were pretty easy going. Good luck. oh and the Brahma is a bantam but is a good size bantam.

 

[dragonlili]

Next closest things to Bramas or Chanticleers, maybe...

If you are looking for a sweet roo I would definatley go with a Cochin! They are just so round and appealing. My daughter drags ours around like a baby doll. He has soooo much personality too.

My kids are terrified of our alpha roo, Muffin. He will chase them on theirs bicycles, scooters, whatever!

I really love my Dutch Bantam roo too! They are very intelligent and very handleable. And so pretty to look at! I have a very small one that was trying to chase a hen the other day, they are really fiesty.
KIng Leopold

 

[peeps7]

I would go with a cochin or a brahma. Although my EE rooster is a baby doll, he'll come up to me and put his feet on my legs just looking at me like "will you please feed me". He is very patient with my hens(they are very fiesty) and I have never seen him hurt one of them. He is 3-4 years old and he does keep my hens in line especially about food. They squat for him but I think he is just worn out from all the years.

 

[greyfields]

I think with all chickens, the more you handle them as chicks, the friendlier they will be.

 

[theOEGBman]

I think with all chickens, the more you handle them as chicks, the friendlier they will be.

I do agree with this. I have a coop full of birds that I raised in the garage and they are awesome. None of the roos are mean and most of them will hop on my back or arm when Im in there. I have hen raised chicks that are crazy. But then, My roo Rizzle was raised in the house and he is still crazy.




I hear over and over again that Cochins roos are great. That was true with my Frizzled Cochin I got at a show, but I have a black boy that is pure evil. He does whatever he can to attack me. I think its just the individual bird. I have a Barred Rock roo that is mean, but my cousin's was awesome. I personally think its the individual bird.​

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, the more handling the better but you never know, they can turn on you. It's often the individual bird rather than breed.

 

[chickengirlnm]

I have not had chickens long but I have had two roosters- the first one was a huge white rooster I think was a plymouth rock ? he was huge is all I know I had him since he was a day old ( was supposed to be a hen) but he was raised in the house and held often , than when he went outside and started crowing he got mean like a junk yard dog always jumping at me and drawing blood a few times- he went to live with a friend that has had chickens longer , now I have a small rooster that is a bantam Black Dutch ( also was supposed to be a hen ) but I have had no problems with him ,he is not the most friendly of all my chickens but he does not jump on me and when I do catch him he does not try to bite at me or kick so I am hoping he stays this easy to handle right now he is only around 4-5 months.
I also think why the other roo turned mean is my husband named him KFC LOL

 

[Mysterybirds]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Cochins, not sure why they won't stay in my head. I must have finite amount of space for chickens. Everytime I read about them I think I would like them and then, suddenly, I have no memory of them again. I do like the sounds of them.

As far as handling, I'm worried about being able to find a good way to add a handlable rooster to our flock. I don't see myself ordering bunch of chicks in the next year so I won't be able to get a guy as a little peep. And how much do they change once the sex hormones kick in? Will a mellow chick be likely to be a mellow roo, or will he be just as likely to turn into a tempermental tyrant?

 

[seedcorn]

Too bad U R not in IN, I'd donate a light brahma bantam rooster.