Let's Talk Nice About Our Roosters!

[BantyChooks]

@BantyChooks Ah, no, it's okay. I just would rather not be told I have to beat him into submission or something similar. I know I probably should, but I've already given so much love, it'd be very sad to have to be mean or cold to him. Thanks for sharing, too! Is he still around? He looks so perky in the picture!

Heck no, I'd never tell anyone to do that! Don't worry, I'm on the same page as you there.

Unfortunately, he had a heart attack after a dog grabbed him at about a year of age. He was a really gorgeous boy when he had his full feather sets in.

 

[NNYchick]

My 2.5 yr old silkie rooster has always been awesome. He never had any hormone or aggression issues. We can pick him up, my 6 yr old daughter does all the time. He helps raise chicks, escorts pullets to nest box, teaches the cockerels manners. We didn’t raise him any different than any other of the chicks because we didn’t know he was a cockerel till he crowed. I also don’t chase my chicks or force affection on them we sit quietly and let them build trust and come to us. The only time I’ve seen him aggressive is I had a cockerel that was going after my feet and he chased him off. He is a little mischievous too he loves to sneak in the back door of the garage and stand right next to my husband and let out his loudest crow and make him jump.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I bought 5 straight run from TSC when I got started in raising chickens, well with my luck 3 out of 5 turned out to be roosters. They were awesome guys and my wonderful daughter took two of them including my very sweet EE boy Cuddles. He would snuggle against my face as a chick and loved being on your shoulder. My daughter said he now prefers humans and we'll her TB horse too lately over other chickens. He even rides places in her truck just to be with her!

 

[chrissynemetz]

I love my boys I've always had a soft spot for roosters. My first pet was a huge yellow and black speckled rooster appropriately named Spotty lol. I was small, 5 or 6'ish at the time. I carried him around like a puppy, even bringing him inside to watch cartoons with me.
Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never raised a mean rooster. I mostly just treat them the same as any other chicken. If they want affection I give it. If they want space I give it as well. Some chickens enjoy being handled, some don't, but I never force the issue. And I never show fear. Honestly I didn't realize how dangerous roosters could be until I went to a relative's farm to collect a few chicks as a teenager. She had a rooster that she had to pen up before we could go into her yard. It was quite a surprise to me at the time.
Right now I have 6 boys. One adult rooster, my sweet sweet barred rock mix MoJo, and 5 cockerels. So far things are going as smoothly as possible with that many hormonal teenagers running around.
Just don't panic, and don't over think things. There are lots of ways to raise a good rooster. Do a little research and find whatever way seems good to you. And if that doesn't appear to be working, try a different approach. Just know it IS possible.

 

[Shadrach]

I've lost count of the number of roosters and cockerels I've had here.
I have never had to kill a rooster because of his behavior towards me; not one.
I've never had to hit one. I've never had to try to show a rooster that I'm boss.
But then I'm more than happy for him to be the boss when it comes to his hens. The day a rooster sits in the passenger seat of my pickup and starts telling me how to drive then maybe then I'll have words with him about whose boss.
If you like the article you may enjoy some of the stories in this link.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/shadrachs-stories.1263724/
Some of the roosters that have lived here have been more difficult than others but I'm a firm believer in it's how you react to them and your behavior around them and has nothing to do with genetics, bar all roosters are genetically aggressive because that's what roosters need.

 

[BeccaDoe]

@Mybackyardpeepers Oh my gosh, that picture is perfect!!

@NNYchick They are SO fluffy! I was thinking of silkies, but I don't know if my place would be too good with feathered feet babies, with all the mud we get around here. But yours are darling! ❤

@BantyChooks Oh no! I should have guessed from the past tense. ;0; I'm sure he was full of love for you until the end! (Even if his last thoughts weren't too happy)

 

[BeccaDoe]

@chrissynemetz Thank you for your lovely advice! I believe the fear of aggressive roosters was put into me by stories my mom told of gathering eggs for her grandmother. She said the rooster would scream and chase her. And I'd be watching cartoons with my feather kids, too, if Da would let them come in!

@Shadrach You gave me such a giggle at the back seat driver roo. I will certainly check out your thread! ❤

I hope my chattiness is not offputting to anyone. I'm partially disabled and I live aways from anyone sans my family, so I get little socializing! Please forgive me!

 

[Shadrach]

@chrissynemetz Thank you for your lovely advice! I believe the fear of aggressive roosters was put into me by stories my mom told of gathering eggs for her grandmother. She said the rooster would scream and chase her. And I'd be watching cartoons with my feather kids, too, if Da would let them come in!

@Shadrach You gave me such a giggle at the back seat driver roo. I will certainly check out your thread! ❤

I hope my chattiness is not offputting to anyone. I'm partially disabled and I live aways from anyone sans my family, so I get little socializing! Please forgive me!

Then I've made you laugh twice today; once with Major and Fat Bird and now here.
That's what I call a worthwhile day.

 

[BantyChooks]

I've lost count of the number of roosters and cockerels I've had here.
I have never had to kill a rooster because of his behavior towards me; not one.
I've never had to hit one. I've never had to try to show a rooster that I'm boss.
But then I'm more than happy for him to be the boss when it comes to his hens. The day a rooster sits in the passenger seat of my pickup and starts telling me how to drive then maybe then I'll have words with him about whose boss.
If you like the article you may enjoy some of the stories in this link.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/shadrachs-stories.1263724/
Some of the roosters that have lived here have been more difficult than others but I'm a firm believer in it's how you react to them and your behavior around them and has nothing to do with genetics, bar all roosters are genetically aggressive because that's what roosters need.

 

[21hens-incharge]

A story about a rooster that was not mine but was pretty awesome anyway.

A long time ago I was looking to add to my flock. I went to buy a few started pullets.
When we went to the chicken yard the lady tells me to "go in and pick a few".
There was a gigantic barred rock rooster in there.

Of course I was reluctant to go in since as a kid I too had been flogged.
This rooster did not know me, was way bigger than my Scooter had been and looked intimidating.
Turned out looks were deceiving. She went in with me but stayed by the gate while I walked around looking the birds over.
That big rooster followed me but never made a move even remotely looking aggressive.
Not even when I picked up a pullet and she screamed.

His story was interesting. Apparently he had managed to kill a raccoon in that very pen a few years before. He lost an eye in that but zero chickens died that night. He became her best rooster and flock guardian.
His attitude was mellow and watchful toward humans....not ever aggressive but predator beware lol.