Mean vs nice roosters

[wvchics]

I've only had one so far and I have to say he's a perfect blend. He doesn't generally mess with people. He is fairly docile and will generally move out of my way, but he will not hesitate to protect his girls. He always makes sure he knows where everyone is, he finds the food and calls the girls, and he's always the last one in the coop. I can pick him up and carry him around, but he does put up a struggle if I get too close to the girls holding him like he has an image to protect or something. The only time he's ever done anything is if someone is messing with my hens and I can't be mad about that. He gets a little nervous if I handle the girls but so far he just watches me to make sure I'm not hurting them. I couldn't be more pleased. He's a buff orpington.

 

[BantyChooks]

Cockbirds and cockerels shouldn't be mean unless improperly handled, with rare exceptions.

I have probably owned close to 50 of them... that's a completely made up estimate though. I have owned about 200 birds total but how many of those were males I don't remember. I have had two mean cockerels, and one of those was entirely my fault.

 

[wvchics]

That's kinda how I feel but only having one so far I didn't want to make the statement. I handle all my chickens regularly, and I feel this makes a big difference. Also, only having one eliminates competition. I could see having two or more causing them to be a little more aggressive due to competition for the hens. But like I said I can't say that for sure just a thought I had.

 

[Star and eclipsa]

How many people have a nice rooster versus a mean rooster?

My rooster is way nicer than my hen. He loves cuddles and he is super sweet. But he is a coward. The hen hates cuddles but she is super smart and brave. I have been working on some tricks with her.

 

[BantyChooks]

That's kinda how I feel but only having one so far I didn't want to make the statement. I handle all my chickens regularly, and I feel this makes a big difference. Also, only having one eliminates competition. I could see having two or more causing them to be a little more aggressive due to competition for the hens. But like I said I can't say that for sure just a thought I had.

I usually have about 15 males together all summer. I am down to 6 now.

Raising them together in a staggered age range greatly reduces aggressive tendencies, actually. They learn early on that they aren't the biggest baddest thing in the world. I quite dislike having to handle cocks that have been raised with only same age pullets---they are bratty and disrespectful. Thank goodness I rarely purchase grown males.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/is-it-worth-it.1217178/page-13#post-19443949

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

My Buff Orpington is a very sweet gentleman. He has never tried to attack me, or anyone else. He asks to mate, and my girls usually say no, and he takes it for an answer.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I had 5 for 5 that were hatched with my run of Sumatra, 5 cockerels 5 hens, they were all predator avoiding machines. The first 2 that acted snotty to the flock were rehomed to a neighbor with a mature American Gamefowl to teach them proper rooster manners. The last three were just rehomed over the weekend as they were engaged in wing dropping or stealth blind side attacks against me. Or they were just harassing my hens just generally bad eggs.

I did decide to order a SQLF replacement roo from someone who claims to have a docile flock so we will see. He sounds much younger than my current flock so I am thinking it will learn proper respect and manners from the older hens. I agree with the lack of handling thoughts that is another reason I'm going for a bird fledged by someone with a stable breeding operation. For the money though I hope he doesn't become a stinker as the shipping alone is more than the actual bird, but cheaper than the gas to drive 10 hours north and back.

 

[Beer can]

I've only had a couple mean roosters, a welsummer and a naked neck and they didn't stay around long.
Don't think meanness translates to better at protecting the flock. A mean rooster just ain't worth having around and dangerous if you have kids.
The mean naked neck rooster allowed a skunk to eat all my broody hens chicks, great protector....
I have a super nice jersey giant that's friendlier than the hens fight off a red fox. Fox did mortally injure a hen but the fox didn't get to eat it. DW heard the commotion and witnessed the rooster flogging the fox, it took off thank goodness. Not sure if it was the presence of DW or it decided getting pecked and spurred in the face wasn't worth a chicken dinner.

 

[bobbi-j]

I have had both mean and nice cockerels/roosters. The mean ones were earlier on, when I would avoid them when they challenged me, or would run when they'd come after me. I'll admit - I was afraid and let them know it. I have not had a mean rooster since I decided that I am the boss, and will not put up with any nonsense. If I have a rooster that doesn't understand that, he will be put in the freezer.

Now, as soon as I recognize chicks as cockerels, I quit handling them, make them keep their distance, and as they get older, make them move away whenever I am in "their" space. I look them in the eye, back them up, move them aside, handle the girls, whatever I want to do. If they challenge me, the challenge is met. No, I don't kick them, pick them up or hold them down. I just walk toward them and keep on walking. In my opinion, the best rooster is one who keeps his distance and moves away from me when I come near.

 

[The Golden Egg5]

I have had many roosters over the year that I have had chickens (due to chicken math and cute baby chicks) 8 to be exact, and most of them have been nice, loving boys.
All of them have been good boys. They watched the flock, they were gentle, and they never challenged me.
There is one exception. Peep. He was very mean and he would give me a good flogging on the leg every time I went in the coop. He was invited to dinner.
Right now, I have 2 loving boys. I have espresso, the loving specked Sussex (about to be a father on Saturday)
And gladiator(originally Gladys before we knew he was a he). He is a porcelain D’uccle.