How to raise a GENTLE rooster?!?

[Shannon's Chix]

I agree with handling him a lot AND I think what someone said about letting him know you won't hurt his girls is hugely important! I also think you have to get through that inevitable "coming of age" stage as smoothly as possible. I raised a d'uccle from a couple days old and he was fine until he got to about 5 months, then started the posturing and biting when I came around. I started handling him more and more and I think we got through that and now he's much more relaxed around me and even likes to be held. You gotta start with something you can work with though, a mean roo is gonna be a mean roo. Good luck! Your babies are cute!

 

[FlashPointFarm]

I totally agree with Onthespot. Just like any animal, all will give you signs that they are thinking about challenging you before they actually do it. Staring you down, not yeilding. I usually initiate the chase in that instance. If they don't want to yield to me after that, I pick them up and carry them around. That's a great attitude adjustment!

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[sourland]

First of all, I'd recommend getting rid of this rooster before he injures your child! An eye pojked out by a toenail or spur can not be replaced. I agree with Speckled Hen- genetics is the determining factor. How roosters (and other males) handle raging hormones has a heritable component. That being said, roosters that have been turned into pets may become aggresive sooner, because all boundaries have been removed. Good luck in your quest for a gentle rooster. They do exist.

 

[andalusn]

My Jersey Giant roo was hand raised as a peep as show stock and then he just did not make the "grade" to be included into the new group of young show birds. He is very nice but I am a firm believer in breeding stock males will show some form of dominance at some point..it's natural.

That being said, while he is gentle there are days when I think he is being a little more pushy with the hens and I will walk him down and stand my ground until he yields and decides to back away and find a better space to occupy. I am top dog on my farm

and from horses to the smallest dog and anything in between gives. The silent language of posture and intent is universally understood and everyone likes to know the status quo has not changed from the last time they checked.

 

[Gonzo]

The more you handle them when there chicks, the better off you'll be. We have a really gentle New Hampshire Red rooster that you can pick up, cradle like a baby, and rub his belly. We started holding him from the get go. Even as a youngster you could flip him on his back and hold him in your hand. He's a really good boy. Good with the hens too. We had an EE that was aggresive no matter what we did. He was just squirly. He ended up flogging my 8 yr old son. We tried to break him of this habbit, by have Kam charge at him when he did this, but he still did it... so he was rehomed..

Not gonna have that around the kids. Zero toleration for it!

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

When I first got started with chickens, I ordered all pullets from a hatchery. I ended up with two little cockerels in the mix. I didn't know any better, so I loved all over those boys. The banty in particular would sit in my lap and "talk" to me. I just loved and petted and sweet talked his tiny self. He was adorable. Then my boys hit adolescence. ARG! They turned into little hormonal monsters! My sweet little guys vanished and I was left with two roos that would attack me at the drop of a hat. I eventually gave the Buff Orp away (to Sundance!). At his new home, where Sundance is Queen, he is a perfect gentleman. Marrie picks him up and walks around with him and he respects her as alpha roo. From what I understand, she has had no problems with him at all. At my house he attacked EVERYBODY, which was pretty scary given that he was a HUGE roo!
My other roo is a banty, except he has no concept of size. He gets me about every third time I'm in his pen. LIttle snot. The sad thing is that he is a GREAT little rooster. He is so good with his girls, showing them treats and watching over them. I never worry about them when they are out ranging because I know he is in charge. He routinely mounts ihs ladies, but they are never torn up or battered. He's doing the job though because ALL his eggs are fertile and I have gotten 100% development out of his eggs. He is a fabulous rooster. He just has no respect for me. I'm actually trying to sell him and his girls. I'm betting he will be like the other boy. Once he is in a new situation with a new "Head Roo", he will be a perfect little man.

After the first round I hatched out my ameraucanas and got my buff silkies. I purposely did not love all over the ameraucana boys once I knew they were boys. Now that they are grown, they are all perfect littel gentlemen. They are fairly intimidated by me, and yet know that I am the breinger of treats and yummy things. They are very respectful of my space and have never, ever shown any aggression towards me. They are still very good, very protective roosters. I am taking the other route with the silkies since I want to show them. They need to get used to being handled. I pick them up and cart them all over the place. So far they are fine and they both squat for me. I have high hopes that carting them around will work for them. BUT these babies came from a great line and a great breeder. They came to be pretty gentle already.

After dealing with the terrors of my first two, I'm a firm believer in the Alpha Roo approach. I have plenty of girls I can love on. It makes sense to me to be more aloof with the boys.

 

[wildorchid053]

i had two horrible roos raised from birth.. we caught and held them several times a day.. hand fed.. it took about 2 weeks of this and i mean lots of holding and petting.. they are sweethearts now. one is in the house even and the other is with his hens.. they will still dance around and peck at strangers..but we are a big happy flock..umm er family now.. i just ordered 22 hens to split up between the two so now my house baby with have his harem too. even when the grandkids come over they allow them to pick them up and pet..

 

[Lollipop]

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This is a very interresting thread. Old time cockers agree with what Cynthia said in this post. Any gamecock that showed aggresion to humans was culled immediately. Two reasons they always give. First, they were sure that breeding that rooster would pass that trait on to his offspring and second, nobody in his right mind would set down a manfighter equiped with his weapons. Can you imagine the bloodshed? For this reason, gamefowl are largely easy to handle. Seems to be the regular barnyard types that have most of the problem. Could be unscrupulous breeders or just years of inbreeding. In 52 years of admireing these beautyfull gamefowl, I have only had 2 that were manfighters. Your best bet is to ax the bad ones immediately.........Pop

 

[Gonzo]

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What breed is tha roo? A RIR or a New Hampshire? Looks like our New Hampshire Red Fluffy!

 

[wildorchid053]

he is a tractor supply rir.. but i think mostly mutt lol