Help me pick my rooster!

[Cloew88]

I’m raising my first flock of 14 chicks and so far at least 6 of them are roosters. We plan to keep just one. They’re 6 weeks old now. How do I choose? Are there certain traits I should look for now? when will I know if they’re going to be mean/aggressive?

My biggest priority is that our rooster not be aggressive with people since I have small kids who love to handle them. I also want a good protector for the hens. I’d prefer it not have a super annoying crow or be excessively loud. I may let them breed at some point, but if I did it would just be for fun.

My options are: Lavendar Orphington, Buff Orphington, Black Copper Maran, Easter Egger

Any insights would be appreciated!!

 

[The-White-Elephant]

I’m raising my first flock of 14 chicks and so far at least 6 of them are roosters. We plan to keep just one. They’re 6 weeks old now. How do I choose? Are there certain traits I should look for now? when will I know if they’re going to be mean/aggressive?

My biggest priority is that our rooster not be aggressive with people since I have small kids who love to handle them. I also want a good protector for the hens. I’d prefer it not have a super annoying crow or be excessively loud. I may let them breed at some point, but if I did it would just be for fun.

My options are: Lavendar Orphington, Buff Orphington, Black Copper Maran, Easter Egger

Any insights would be appreciated!!

I only had experience with a Black copper Maran (from your list). They are GREAT hen protectors and good with kids. HOWVER, their crow is really loud. (At least mine was). A Buff Orpington also seems like a good choice, to me at least.

 

[3KillerBs]

Since these are your very first chickens and you have young children I suggest that you don't keep any males at all the first year -- absent a compelling reason to the contrary.

That way you'll get the easy intro to chicken-keeping without having to deal with the potential problems of hormonal and potentially aggressive males AND then next year you can let your adult hens raise a few males with good chicken manners for you to choose the best of the best from then.

@Mrs. K always has excellent advice about roosters.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I have to agree with @3KillerBs. Young roosters can be very unpredictable. Especially with young children who are the right height to be seriously injured if a rooster decides to attack.
If you’re not planning to be a breeder or you really have no reason to keep a rooster, then see how it goes with your hens. You could always add a rooster later.
They are generally easy to find, folks are always trying to rehome them.
Good luck.

 

[KelseyBoxer]

Cockerels change in temperament as they reach their teens. Hormones start to rage and they can change behavior over nite. The sweet cockerel you love now can become a terror as he matures. You don't have any older birds to show him how to act. I was able to keep a male only flock and picked the nicest one from there. He was not the biggest or the most developed. Just a sweet boy. Good luck with your flock.

 

[Shadrach]

I’m raising my first flock of 14 chicks and so far at least 6 of them are roosters. We plan to keep just one. They’re 6 weeks old now. How do I choose? Are there certain traits I should look for now? when will I know if they’re going to be mean/aggressive?

My biggest priority is that our rooster not be aggressive with people since I have small kids who love to handle them. I also want a good protector for the hens. I’d prefer it not have a super annoying crow or be excessively loud. I may let them breed at some point, but if I did it would just be for fun.

My options are: Lavendar Orphington, Buff Orphington, Black Copper Maran, Easter Egger

Any insights would be appreciated!!

Don't try to guess what any of them will be like as mature roosters. There are no reliable indications at six weeks old and it's not much better at six months old ime.
If they were all older I would suggest you pick the one the hens like best.
The only other advice that seems sensible given you have a number of breeds is pick a cockerel that is of a similar size to the hens.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree with KillerB's - let all of them go. They really take experience. There are many aspects of having chickens, no need to do them all at once.

 

[3KillerBs]

I agree with KillerB's - let all of them go. They really take experience. There are many aspects of having chickens, no need to do them all at once.

You agree with me because I learned it from you.

@Cloew88 I can testify to how good this advice is because I followed it and have been very lucky with my raised-in-the-flock males.

 

[Cloew88]

Since these are your very first chickens and you have young children I suggest that you don't keep any males at all the first year -- absent a compelling reason to the contrary.

That way you'll get the easy intro to chicken-keeping without having to deal with the potential problems of hormonal and potentially aggressive males AND then next year you can let your adult hens raise a few males with good chicken manners for you to choose the best of the best from then.

@Mrs. K always has excellent advice about roosters.

Thanks for the input! This makes a lot of sense. I plan to let them free range. Won’t my hens be in more danger to predators without a rooster to sound the alarm? That was my reason for wanting to keep one.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

There are a few main things you need to consider:

• Keep the cock who is healthy.
• Keep the cock who will not attack humans/pets you may have.
• Keep the cock who will most likely be good at protecting (if you want that).
• Keep the cock who does not mate with the hens too much to the point of pulling out too many feathers/injuring her. Also, I suggest not keeping a cock who chases the hens, as that can become stressful for the hens.