Is it true that roosters are mean?

[Country Heart]

Roosters can be very friendly and also great guardians of the flock.

 

[Ema]

I have a couple of each.....

I have 2 roos who are sweet and loving and follow me everywhere just to be by me and will protect the flock, then I have a couple roos who are very mean as they can be, they viciously go after the hens and my hubby has been flogged several times by them. these roos are now awaiting their fate in a separate pen. Sad but true, my sweet roos are staying, and they are so gentle with the hens, they don't even steal food from them when treats are brought out, they will wait their turn. the other ones, will chase everyone off just to have it all to themselves.

Ema

 

[dainerra]

It depends on the individual. BUT if you do get a mean one, don't hesitate to send him off to camp (as they say around here).

Draco is a sweetie. He doesn't like to be picked up, but if you do then he will just sit there like a giant parakeet.

My mom used to have one that would lay his head on her chest and talk to her.

 

[brownysfp]

Our L Sussex roo has caught me a couple times, drawing blood the first time. He got his arse kicked, quite literally, and even out of range I got him with a few pine cones. He tried again the other day but a direct hit with the food scoop stopped that attack. He's the only one of our roos to have had a go: the Brahma is soppy, the Barred Rock and the CB Maran too wary. The elder of the two Rock/Maran roos is a sod to the hens; the younger doesn't know what he's there for yet.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

We have a blue rooster this year. He's a good guy though a bit tiring when he starts crowing mid day. He's looking out for the flock and alerts me that something is up, like water or food running low or a few girls jumped the fence or he jumped the fence and want's the girls to follow him...

I wouldn't recommend a rooster to any first time flock raiser. Personally I believe people should get to know chicken behaviors and get comfortable handling them first. The 11 year old daughter here was to close the coop one night and a few pullets were on the coop, instead of telling me she was trying to get them down with a bat when Cordon came charging down from coop and chased her off. On the other hand the 3 year old daughter will chase Cordon around. It's a personality thing and you can't be fearful around a rooster. Get to know pullets first for a year I say then pick up a cheap or free rooster that suits you on Craigslist.

Edit to clarify that the 11 year old should not have been batting at the pullets and Cordon was out to protect them, if she'd held her ground or charged him he'd have not chased her. I don't consider it an attack nor does the 11 year old close up the coop anymore.

 

[lauralou]

If you decide to get a rooster, you definitely have a chance of getting a mean rooster.

Over the years, we've had several mean roosters. Not a huge problem for us. We ate them. It doesn't seem like this will be an option for you.

Sure, a great rooster can be a great addition to the flock. They are beautiful and interesting birds, but they can also be hard on the hens, they can be aggressive toward you, and heaven forbid, extremely dangerous to small children. If you don't need a rooster, do yourself a favor and don't get one.

I'm not anti-rooster, mind you. I currently have 4 young roos coming up. All gorgeous, all relatively well behaved. I like them very much. But I have an eagle eye on each and every one of them. I know that I don't actually need them, and the instant that one of them starts to interfere with my enjoyment of my hens...

Well, you just have to be prepared for that eventuality.

 

[Meara]

My rooster is an absolute sweetheart and has consistently produced sons that are equally sweet.

 

[lauralou]

Quote:
I think genetics has a lot to do with it. I've read of people with a mean roo who don't want to cull because they need Mr. Evil as a breeder. Hmmmm....

So good for you, propagating nice roos!

 

[theoldchick]

If you are not into breeding chickens, and space is limited, then you really don't need a rooster. Roosters are well....roosters. They are made to fertilize eggs, protect the hens, provide security, and provide food- and they are determined to look good while doing these things. Roosters are noble although those banty roosters can crack me up with their 'I'm to sexy for my feathers routine'.

If you are unsure you need a rooster, and have small children, then I'd recommend not getting one. They aren't necessary to keep your gals happy, and you can hang around your gals without having to keep an eye out for the rooster.


Stan the Man two seconds before getting a smack across the beak:

Two seconds after getting smacked:

Note how he refuses to make eye contact with me.

Most roosters need remedial training and if you are not up to the job then don't get one. One less thing to worry about.

 

[dainerra]

One thing to keep in mind, a dominant hen is just as likely to flog you as a rooster. Any time I've been without a roo, there is a hen (or pair) that lead the flock. They aren't as dangerous since they don't have spurs, but that doesn't mean that it won't hurt!

Agreed, though, that unless you are going to hatch you don't need a rooster. The only reason we have one is that he was supposed to be a girl.