'nice' rooster

[ralleia]

Quote:
Is THAT what my Barred Rock rooster was doing? He was pecking at the dominant hen the other day, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why!

The Barred Rock (who I named "Bruce Leroy") doesn't fear us either--I'm not sure what we are in his eyes--big androgynous chickens perhaps?

The way that he came to be our rooster is an odd story...

He and twenty-three of his littermates were slated for the axe last year. We wanted a rooster to replace our gentle Black Australorp roo, who had passed away.

The hens were broody so I ordered in a batch of male large-breeds to be mothered by the hens. I had already selected a fine-looking roo to be the future father of our brood, and it wasn't Bruce.

On butchering day, we had all the young roos in an oversized dog kennel to clear their crop. I would go to the kennel, drag out a roo, tie him up by his feet and dispatch him, help DH with the processing, and when far enough along go get another roo.

All the young roosters would cower in the back of the kennel when I approached. One trip I had caught a young BA and was dragging him out, when suddenly the Barred Rock turned, charged me, and bit my hand. Ow! It was "Bruce."

On the next trip, as soon as I opened the kennel door "Bruce" made a break for it. He knew what was going on and was outta there! I barely managed to catch him and took him to the processing area for his turn.

But I admired his chicken courage in coming to the aid of a comrade, and admired his intelligence to attempt to escape. But on the other hand, I had already selected a rooster for the flock. But he was so smart... But sometimes smart animals are more trouble than they are worth.

I ended up sparing his life. The other rooster got eaten instead.

Apart from that one bite in defense of his littermate, Bruce has never displayed an ounce of aggression to a human. When we all go out to picnic, he and his hens congregate to look for scraps. He studies calmy you with a keen and weathered eye, waiting for you to produce a beetle grub or some other prized treat that he can impress the ladies with. I've only kept chickens seven years but he's my favorite rooster thus far.

 

[Meara]

My roos are absolute sweethearts and so far all their male offspring are sweeties too. They have d'uccle in their background and I think that breed is just sweet by nature.

 

[janed]

thanks, all, for info on 'nice' rooster. also it sounds as if a flock needs a rooster to keep order among the girls. i will be looking for the 'right' man. hope he's not too hard to find.

 

[sheila3935]

I have the sweetest most laid back rooster I have ever seen. He is a barred rock. As a chick he was the smallest out of 5 boys. Maybe its because he was always getting picked on that made him so sweet, I dont know. He is good to the girls will wing dance them and if they are not interested he will move on to another. We had babies by my BA in April. Even though I had them seperate he would jump the gate to be in with the babies. Never tried to hurt them just sit with them clucking to them. He always lets his ladies eat first even if there are no treats left for him. He has never tried to be aggressive to us, will even let us pet him once in awhile. My neighbor has a bantam not sure of breed and a leghorn who tries to flog her any chance they get. I had a black sex link that I rehomed that was never aggressive to us but wasnt very gentle with the girls and was mean to the barred rock. Now I have his son that is about 5 weeks old. He is small like his daddy was. I am hoping he is just as sweet.

 

[deanawo]

My JG are sweet, my one RIR is Satan. My BCM's are too small to tell yet.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

We have a Black Ameraucana Roo who was sent to the Amish Butcher, but the man sent him back thinking he was a hen (the bird cackled when picked up).

"Brave Sir Robin" never attacks people, perhaps as he knows how close his escape was, being shipped back to the farm next to coolers full of his comrades.

But has to be penned separately from other roos as he will never quit.

Now I have a Speckled Sussex roo that sometimes tolerates me, and other times seems to forget who I am and charges. I can never turn my back on him, ever.

You have to read the thread with the rooster who is imprinted to love his owner's shoes.....too funny.

 

[Pele]

Like other posters have said, some breeds are 'nicer' than others. I have just recently raised a batch of Cochins (a breed known for being docile and kind), and have two handsome little roos I can't keep. You're more than welcome to them if you live near me!

 

[matthewschickens]

I had one, Reagan

He was a Dark Brahma. At first he was friendly, then got a little skittish and would occasinally jump toward the family, but never inflicted damage. But his only problem was that he was too big for the hens, and was hurting them.

 

[Marcymom3]

Quote:

...the names...LOL

 

[Marcymom3]

Quote:
Is THAT what my Barred Rock rooster was doing? He was pecking at the dominant hen the other day, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why!

The Barred Rock (who I named "Bruce Leroy") doesn't fear us either--I'm not sure what we are in his eyes--big androgynous chickens perhaps?

The way that he came to be our rooster is an odd story...

He and twenty-three of his littermates were slated for the axe last year. We wanted a rooster to replace our gentle Black Australorp roo, who had passed away.

The hens were broody so I ordered in a batch of male large-breeds to be mothered by the hens. I had already selected a fine-looking roo to be the future father of our brood, and it wasn't Bruce.

On butchering day, we had all the young roos in an oversized dog kennel to clear their crop. I would go to the kennel, drag out a roo, tie him up by his feet and dispatch him, help DH with the processing, and when far enough along go get another roo.

All the young roosters would cower in the back of the kennel when I approached. One trip I had caught a young BA and was dragging him out, when suddenly the Barred Rock turned, charged me, and bit my hand. Ow! It was "Bruce."

On the next trip, as soon as I opened the kennel door "Bruce" made a break for it. He knew what was going on and was outta there! I barely managed to catch him and took him to the processing area for his turn.

But I admired his chicken courage in coming to the aid of a comrade, and admired his intelligence to attempt to escape. But on the other hand, I had already selected a rooster for the flock. But he was so smart... But sometimes smart animals are more trouble than they are worth.

I ended up sparing his life. The other rooster got eaten instead.

Apart from that one bite in defense of his littermate, Bruce has never displayed an ounce of aggression to a human. When we all go out to picnic, he and his hens congregate to look for scraps. He studies calmy you with a keen and weathered eye, waiting for you to produce a beetle grub or some other prized treat that he can impress the ladies with. I've only kept chickens seven years but he's my favorite rooster thus far.

Wonderful story!! My flock is supposed to be all pullets and I didn't think I wanted a rooster. Your story may have changed my mind! What a heroic chicken! (Is this an oxymoron?)