Is there such thing as a "nice" roo

[woodmort]

I've had a series of about half a dozen EE roosters that haven't been the least bit aggressive. I don't do anything special except ignore them and they ignore me.

 

[mulewagon]

I do like seminolewind - no fighting with them, just walking up briskly until they move back.

Mine were very "friendly" when young. They would get under my feet, wouldn't move away, but the roosters would bite hard enough to bruise when touched. I was worried that with that combo of aggression and no fear, they would become dangerous.

So I trained them to keep back from me by waggling things at eye level to back them up. For several weeks, I made all the roosters stay three feet away. Now they don't try to come close, unless they're challenging me. I just back them up and I'm boss again.

It's important to distinguish between a challenge and an attack. The challenge is a weird little stiff-legged walk, sideways or in a circle. That's when you need to walk at him confidently, until he backs off. If you let him get away with that, he'll start attacking you at random. (If I see one rooster challenge another near me, I walk over and back the winner up, too.)

On the kids: it's certainly possible for kids to handle a rooster, but they have to be experienced and confident. I would start them off handling hens, getting eggs, etc, and then get them to systemetically train a young rooster themselves. (There's actually some small danger from the hens, too - if they're "friendly", they'll sometimes bite and peck at you to see if you're edible. Somebody posted on here recently that a hen had pecked her in the eye. So be aware of that, too!)

 

[bobbi-j]

I have 3 good roos right now. A brahma, a brown leghorn and a bantam cochin. I was told that the leghorn had attacked his previous owner, but after he was put in a coop (by the previous owner's in-laws) with several aggressive banties, he settled down. Could be that they are all so busy trying to show dominance over each other (right now the leghorn is the dominant one) that they don't have time to worry about me. Don't give up hope, there are good ones out there. I'd get rid of the one you have if he's going after your little one.

 

[michickenwrangler]

We have two nice roos, a cochin and an EE. While neither one likes to be held or cuddled, neither are aggressive and are content to ignore us.

That being said, DH only lets me keep roosters on the condition that they are non-agressive. He said he is killing anything that attacks. He won't tolerate an agressive rooster.

 

[downstownlady]

So far my EE roo is fairly docile towards everyone in the family that enters the coop...but I keep my eye on him anyway. He sure is a "Randy" one though...he has pulled my sweet lil' EE head feathers out. I had to dr. her once already...and she still has a bald spot.

 

[Olive Hill]

If you're planning to breed your roo, I would strongly suggest culling this one and replacing him regardless of his responsiveness to the "taming" tactics often recommended and utilized on BYC. There are too many really nice roosters with excellent temperaments to breed bad ones who may pass their negative and potentially dangerous behavior onto their offspring.

 

[justtoni44]

HI,
We had 7 roo's.......two were like attack dogs...................and they no longer live here.
Our main man, Boots, sits on my husbands lap to be petted...he has trained the 4 younger roo's and they are great.
Boots, being a perfect gentleman......takes grapes from us, one at a time, will deliver it to a hen and keep doing that until everone has a treat.
You desrve a great roo......hope you try again with a new one...

 

[Beekissed]

I have a nice roo that I've never had to school. I've schooled roos in the past and found it to be very effective with very little effort on my part. I've not had any that didn't respond to training, but, if I did, they would not have been allowed to leave their genetics in my flock.

I won't have a stupid roo.

After reading tons of posts about roos on this forum, I have come to the conclusion that, as with their dogs, some folks let their roos be the leader. Some folks can't or won't take charge of their animals and that is just how it is at their house.

It all comes down to if you want to live with an unruly animal or not. If they can be trained, train 'em and do it right. If you cannot or they cannot, get rid of 'em.

 

[loot4louie]

I had a EE roo who learned to be fine with me, but he never saw my daughter as something to respect. He moved to a new home. Our current roo completely ignores my daughter even though he stands almost as tall as her and he eats out of my hand. I just hope he stays this kind!! I grew up with a kind old roo who never bothered anyone as well. I would send that roo packing and get a new one. Mine is an Orpington -they are said to be docile and quiet. He is both! Good Luck!!

 

[Tropical Chook]

If I could, I'd also gladly give you a nice rooster. All mine are Thai games, and I've never come across a mean one yet. In fact, I find the roosters to be far more pleasant than the hens. The hens tend to be very skittish, and they hardly seem to get along with each other, while all the roosters get along fine because the head rooster insists on law and order. Providing none of the boy challenge him, he leaves them alone. Unfortunately I don't have enough hens to keep all the boys happy so all apart from my head rooster is destined for the pot.

I've mentioned this whole "aggressive rooster" thing to several Thai people already, and they just look at me as though I'm crazy. Over here where everyone keeps Thai games, it's unheard of for a rooster to attack a person. Personally, if a rooster did ever try to attack me or anyone else in my family, he would be slaughtered on the spot. Sorry, I know some say you can teach them, and I can't comment on that, but simply wouldn't even bother trying. If a dog attacks your child, would you try to train the dog not to do it again? I wouldn't. The way I see it, if you live on this property, you fit in or you go. If one of my dogs kill one of our chickens, then the dog goes - I have no room to accommodate a trouble maker.

The next time your rooster attacks you, pick him up, get your axe or knife, and put an end to problem, then scald, pluck, and enjoy.