If buff Orps are quiet and docile...does that mean BO roosters too?

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Jen, I didn't want roosters originally. Two of my girl babies turned into boys and by then I was attached. I'm with Fivestring on this one. I totally love having them now and would be sad to have a roo-less flock. I'm actually considering adding another one.

You just need to be aware that they are not like hens. They have their own view of the universe. I believe RoosterRed was the one that said roosters are just like bulls or billy goats or rams, just smaller. They are hardwired to serve certain functions and by golly they will. They are not hardwired to cuddle or be petted. They are hardwired to protect their girls and make more chickens. That's pretty much it. The best roos will do those two things well AND not be scary aggressive. Again, my BO roo has only come at me twice and both times I was messing with his women and they were squawking like crazy. He was totally trying to protect the girls and I accepted it as such. Now, I did snatch him up, thump him on the head once and then carry him around for a bit. He does need to recognize that I am Head Roo. But I WANT him to protect his women from all danger. That is his job.

Roosters are a hoot. I love the huge personalities and how they dance around for their girls. I can't imagine how quiet and boring our world would be if the boys were gone. They are worth the effort.

 

[gritsar]

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[newbie coops]

I'm a first-time chicken owner and brooded our flock from day two to now eight months. We have Buff Orps, Black Stars, Barred Rocks, and NH Reds. One rooster, a NH Red. His name is Bob.

Our experience with the BOs is that although they are purported to be more docile and less inclined to aggressive behavior - they have proven to be the breed most likely to engage in picking/pecking and other more problematic behaviors in a flock of mixed breeds. They also lay smaller, lighter colored eggs. And less regularly.

We've already decided that BOs aren't going to be in our flock in the future and we are more inclined to go with Black Stars. They are the smallest of the four breeds we have, lay the largest, brownest eggs, and are the least likely to engage in difficult behaviors. They do learn it, though, from the Buffs. Barred Rocks and NH Reds haven't been a problem for us, but the Black Stars are the winners for their temperament, productivity, and ability to adapt. They are the best. Buff Orps haven't proven to be the most "docile" breed and indeed, the instigators in our flock have been ALL Buff Orps.

Just my two cents.

 

[Lucy4]

You know... my bo's aren't docile either. I wouldn't call them "aggressive" but they do engage in much more pecking than my EE's (who incredibly docile.) They have curious, sassy personalities... they remind me more of delaware's.

To the OP: my friend's flock of 20 is overseen by BO rooster, and he's a gentle soul. But I wonder if it's because he's overrun by those 20 girls. When my friend introduced him, they beat him up pretty good! For a while, he acted like the husband whose wife gives him a perpetual headache.

But 20 girls is a lot to service too...

 

[farmgirlie1031]

When I first started out I ended up with 2 roos and 2 hens that were BO. One BO roo turned mean and I had never been mean to him. He would attack us for walking into the barn and beat up all the other roosters. He went into the frying pan. The other rooster he is sweet. He's even a bit of a wimp because he lets my 2 bantam roosters boss him around. No fights but just a look from one of the bantams and he turns and goes the other direction. I think it just depends on the rooster. Now I have 6 BO hens and the BO rooster. I added more hens because I really like this breed.

 

[JenMT]

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This is the rooster that I'm looking for, I wish I could meet him too. Do you have any pix? When did you get him? Did you raise him from a chick? How much do you interact with him or does he do his own thing? Is he sweet to YOU and his hens?