Houdans

[LemonMeringue]

I am not shocked though that he would have a serious flaw of one kind or another. After all he was hatchery stock.

 

[zach N houdan]

All u have to do is put him in a crate isolated from any hens and rooster for a couple of weeks and he should improve

 

[Cknldy]

I am not shocked though that he would have a serious flaw of one kind or another.  After all he was hatchery stock.

!?????! I apologize if this steps on toes but is it like the chicken said "Hey, I came from hatchery stock so I have a right to flog you!"? I understand what you're saying-good breeders won't use a bad attitude bird for chicks and hatcheries don't care but still I don't think that is the reason for the attitude. I've had a mean cockerel before too that ended up plucked but that was 1 out of 10 Rhode Island Red cocks I've raised including some of his sons. Old men have commented in pure shock at how my children or I have walked right up to them and scooped them up without a peck. A lot of things can play a role in a cock or roo's behaviour. Just sayin'....

Happy houdaning and hope you find what you're looking for

 

[NYREDS]

!?????! I apologize if this steps on toes but is it like the chicken said "Hey, I came from hatchery stock so I have a right to flog you!"? I understand what you're saying-good breeders won't use a bad attitude bird for chicks and hatcheries don't care but still I don't think that is the reason for the attitude. I've had a mean cockerel before too that ended up plucked but that was 1 out of 10 Rhode Island Red cocks I've raised including some of his sons. Old men have commented in pure shock at how my children or I have walked right up to them and scooped them up without a peck. A lot of things can play a role in a cock or roo's behaviour. Just sayin'....

Happy houdaning and hope you find what you're looking for

I'd have to take issue with this. I think of myself as a "good breeder" & attitude or behavior have never been considerations I my selection process. Since I'm interested in breed conformity for show purposes it would be counterproductive for me to cull a good looking male for attitude problems. While I haven't polled other breeders about this I know several successful breeders that use aggressive males in their breeding programs.

I'm not suggesting you shouldn't breed that way-it's certainly your decision to make but someone else having a differeny point of view than yours may be as good a breeder as you or possibly even more successful.

 

[laseterlass]

I am not a houdan person. But I grew up with freerange game chickens and this summer my roosters, bantam Orp, D'anver and baby silkie fought off a much larger Raven that attacked a pullet. Yes I have been attacked by aggressive roosters also. Even as a kid. I actually prefer a macho Roo for my girls as do they. I absolutely require respect towards myself and I teach my kids how to demand it. I would never souppot a Nice looking bird for this reaon. Now if he was abusing hens? There is a reason.

 

[Cknldy]

Touche Nyreds! Well said. I don't consider myself in the ranks of breeder, just a backyard enthusiast I guess. From beginning a few years ago til now I have discovered so many views and ways of doing things. It is always interesting.

 

[Laingcroft]

I'd have to take issue with this. I think of myself as a "good breeder" & attitude or behavior have never been considerations I my selection process. Since I'm interested in breed conformity for show purposes it would be counterproductive for me to cull a good looking male for attitude problems. While I haven't polled other breeders about this I know several successful breeders that use aggressive males in their breeding programs.

I'm not suggesting you shouldn't breed that way-it's certainly your decision to make but someone else having a differeny point of view than yours may be as good a breeder as you or possibly even more successful.

I would agree that it would counterproductive if that were the only good male you had available because temperament is not an issue in poultry SOPs (as it is in canine). But if temperament can be passed on, can you honestly say, as a judge, that you wouldn't be annoyed at the end of the day if every cock and cockerel and some of the hens you examined at a show flogged, spurred or pecked you? And I don't mean a little nip or bat with a wing, I mean drawing blood or requiring stitches.

With very rare exceptions I don't make pets of my livestock but I do want to be able to handle them as needed or enter a pen without having to constantly watch my back. Not to say it isn't wise to be cautious with any male breeding animal (like the rams and bucks I used to have) but why put up with it from poultry just because they are smaller or it's not required by the SOP?

My free range cock birds are all wary of me but that doesn't mean they won't protect their hens if necessary or reprimand the obnoxious cockerels as needed. The males in breeding groups will watch me but don't interfere if I have to pick up a hen and tolerate handling themselves though they can be vocal about their displeasure.

I guess it all boils down to one's measure of success. For me that would be a flock of "peas in a pod" birds that conform to their SOP, are competitive enough to provide 4Hers and youth poultry(wo)men with a good start, no slouches in their respective production area (layers, meat or dual purpose) and which anyone would be happy to own --- from exhibitor-breeders to the family with small children who just wants some nice chickens. It might take a little longer by not using the best looking birds without considering temperament, but I'm willing to take the longer road because I believe it's the right one.

 

[Cknldy]

I had mentioned before how the mottled houdans weren't showing much mottling but more of a tuxedo look. They are now 12 weeks old and have more white spots all over. Glad I don't have to wait a full year to start seeing their beauty!

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
It would seem unlikely that every male & some of the females in a given show would be aggressive. That said, I don't think I've ever judged a show where some of the birds I handled were aggressive. To answer your question, yes, I can honestly say I'm not annoyed by this. As I stated in another post I always ask to judge the AOSB class so I can do the Old English & there's almost always a few aggressive birds among them. I usually carry a few bandaids in the pocket of my judges coat & I always use some of them. Never needed stiches though.
In my own breeding pens I prefer aggressive males, especially in the Games. While I haven't collected any scientific data it s eems , anecdotally at least, that the're more potent.

 

[Cknldy]

Wow, it would make sense for the more aggressive to be more 'potent'. Alpha male thing- totally understood and I never would have put the two together in relation to my chickens and breeding without you bringing it to our attention. Thank you! I will definitely keep that in mind now, ...and make a few caution signs for the kids to leave certain roos alone too.