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.
