How to raise a rooster to be nice?

[aBirdNerd]

I bought an adorable little Barnie chick a week ago. My previous rooster was a Buff Orp. He was such a sweet boy until he started attacking me+family members. Luckily his spurs didn't grow in yet, so he couldn't do any serious damage. We gave him to a friend with more than 4 acres of land, because I could have never culled him. Advice for raising the Barnevelder so he doesn't turn out the same way? Thanks

 

[Folly's place]

Cockerels can turn out either way, sometime however they are raised. Genetics make a big difference here!
It's best to have some experience with them (and you've had some already!) and having mature birds who can thump some manners into the adolescents is also helpful.
I like cockerels who avoid me and pay attention to their flockmates, because often the
'friendly' boys are actually the bold ones, who decide to attack humans as their hormones kick in.
And I've learned that rehoming a human aggressive bird isn't the best idea either. I hope your friend has lots of experience with roosters!
Mary

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Best way in my experience is to toss him (figuratively) Into a flock with mature hens and a polite flockmaster
Second best is the same as above but with no male.

Don't baby him, treat him with respect

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree that being raised up under mature hens, tends to give you a nicer rooster. I am pretty sure that not feeding them by hand, and not handling them, holding them or petting them, they tend to give you more respect and more space around you. They also need to be raised up and kept in more space than needed for hens.

But the best way to get a really nice rooster is luck of the draw, and a sharp knife if he does not turn out. One needs to recognize the symptoms and actions of a rooster getting aggressive. And not dilly dally or make excuses for him.

Mostly I think, it is the luck of the draw.

MRs K

 

[Sussex19]

And don't feed him from your hand, in my most recent batch of cockerels I tried to keep them extra tame and they are quite a pain now.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have yet to see the hand feeding correlation. But, I also feed the male's, who then give it to their girls. I very, very rarely feed the girls myself

 

[aBirdNerd]

I agree that being raised up under mature hens, tends to give you a nicer rooster. I am pretty sure that not feeding them by hand, and not handling them, holding them or petting them, they tend to give you more respect and more space around you. They also need to be raised up and kept in more space than needed for hens.

But the best way to get a really nice rooster is luck of the draw, and a sharp knife if he does not turn out. One needs to recognize the symptoms and actions of a rooster getting aggressive. And not dilly dally or make excuses for him.

Mostly I think, it is the luck of the draw.

MRs K

Got it, I was doing all of the above with my previous rooster, so that might explain his behavior. We were besties, this is my favorite picture of us together. He looks a little bit mad at the camera here

​