In my experience you are better off not making pets of your cockerels. The more you play with the now I think the worse they will be later. They will see you as part of the flock and try to control you because that is the job of a rooster. Keep your distance and pet your hens not the rooster. I think you will have a more respectful rooster down the road.I'm wondering if him being late to color up is a good thing. He was broody raised by my game hen and hangs out a lot with his daddy. He's smart, and so far respectful. Not in your face friendly, but especially in the evenings before it's time to roost will come sit by me and enjoys a good chest rub before I place him on the roost. He also learned from his mom the trick of killing then eating baby snakes. In the past 2 weeks I've witnessed him catch 3 little ones and with a quick snap he's popped their heads off and down they go. Considering I despise snakes, that alone makes me want to hang onto him as long as he grows up respectful.