Do all roosters attack kids?

[mnwickens]

I'm quite new to the chicken keeping thing, but my experience is that a smaller rooster doesn't necessarily mean he will be more friendly. We were given a Lavender Pekin and it is a mean little guy. I have heard that larger breeds can be more friendly, because of their larger size they are less threatened and so less reactive. We have a couple of Leghorns and their temperament is great so far. Maybe worth considering.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

To answer the OP's question, no. But do all roosters have the potential to hurt a kid? Certainly! I think the younger the child, the more closely they should be monitored when they're around roosters & hens.

I think a rooster's behavior is part nature, part nurture. Some are born more wary & defensive, and some become that way through experience. There's no reason to ever have to put up with an unmannerly rooster, so keep your axe sharp and your options open.

Some folks have theories about handling a rooster too much, or about holding them often to make them mind. I think it's best to simply treat them with consideration, so that they grow to trust you, that you're not a threat to them or the hens. We don't handle our roos much, nor did when they were chicks. I don't psychoanalyze them to determine if they think they can dominate me, don't interfere when they mate their hens in my presence. We go about our human business and they handle their birdy business, and they don't bother me or my children.

This is Old Yeller with my 9-year-old son. Old Yeller is a 3-year-old Buff Rock, built like a Clydesdale, but as you can see, gentle as a lamb.

 

[galanie]

Old Yeller is a beauty!

 

[stonykill]

Quote:
I have found the exact opposite to be true.........

 

[Hope119]

Wow! 3 pages of replies!! Thank you all!
First of all, I don't know what breeds our chickens are. I just say they are chickens. %)
Second, when he attacks, no one is laying and it is not like my kids are being noisy (or even talk at that moment - very often, like this morning, my son would come to me feeding them right after he awakes - he would get up, cry for mama, dh would dress him and send to me - so when ds comes, he does not talk at all. He is very quite, like if now fully awake). It feels like the roo just wants to say: hey, I am the boss here! Just to show my son that he, the roo, is higher in hierarchy.
Today I was right there, by my son, and we always try to watch the roo, since we know now that he might attack - just my reaction was not quick enough to get the roo before he got onto my son - it all happens in less then a second, probably. I was shocked that the roo attacked this time with me being right near my son.

I guess, we'll cull this roo and will be watching others (growing) for which one to pick.

This one used to be beautiful (until molting - see pics in my second link) - he was never able to grow feathers back in front of his neck - his chickens peck those feathers right out, just when they start to grow. Besides letting his hens do that, he also never eats the treats - always leaves those to his hens, same with any yummies he finds - he does not eat - he calls for his hens to come and eat what he found.

 

[wowmanacat]

I had a Barred Rock and he was a Mean one. I am now going to be sending all of his male offspring to freezer camp once they are big enough. Here is a picture of him, they are a mean breed.

He is no longer here something got him one night since I was leaving him out of the coop so he would leave my two hens alone, he was hurting them very bad.

 

[Hope119]

I have uploaded the second album that is in my signature here. Our roo is there in about 4-5 row from the bottom. This is one of the pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/103416...hkey=Gv1sRgCOvj4ejYjL2AEA#5624866910196384498 - He should be a mix of few breeds.

 

[wahoowifeandmom]

I don't know a lot about chickens, but buff orpingtons were recommended to me when I was looking for a gentle breed because of our kids. I have a 2-yo rooster that is very gentle. Neither he nor the hens have ever been handled very much, but they are all are quite docile.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
Actually, Barred Rocks are not a mean breed, generally. In fact, they're my favorite, especially the roosters. See? You can't say a breed is mean or a breed is docile, as far as roosters go. It's individual with each rooster.

Temperament, however, is heritable, and I commend you for not keeping any of his sons. My late great BR rooster, Hawkeye, generally threw awesome sons and I still have one, my Zane, but on occasion, one would grow up and turn aggressive. It isn't a given, one way or another.

 

[Hope119]

Our rooster's father was letting the owner boys to pick him up, cuddle. He was also the first one together with one of his hens to disappear due to a predator. Our roo lost two hens, but is alive himself.