It depends on the individual bird, in my experience. The one here that was treated like royalty the most as a chick turned out to be the most aggressive jerk, but I've also recently heard that this is common with his breed. I've got 3 jerks and they were all treated nicely and almost baby like. One huge thing I have noticed is that the cockerels that I've had *after* my first year with chickens, were better. *I* am more confident and don't worry about upsetting them or making them angry. I started dealing with them in a different frame of mind. I still enjoy them and pick them up if absolutely necessary, but they seem to "pick up what I'm tossing down" to them. I do not want a rooster or cockerel that is terrified of me. I like a relationship with mutual respect. I've got a lot of boys and none of the boys that have hatched here since I became more confident are aggressive in any way. Of course I still don't trust any cockerel or rooster, but I expect them to respect me as I offer respect to them. I absolutely love the boys I've hatched in the past year. They're completely different from the boys I had in the beginning. They learn what we teach them, but their personality is also an aspect. Sometimes the breed will also be an aspect.
I hope this makes sense as it's late and it's been a long day.
