I agree with the others-don't handle the boys if you want to ensure they'll grow up non-aggressive. You want them to be just a little bit cautious an leary of you. If they grow up cuddled and aren't afraid of you when hormones kick in it can cause problems. I've had a couple that I cuddled as babies that would jump on other people's feet, but were super sweet with me because I was the one that rasied them but you don't want that either with kids. 90% of boys will be fine either way....but with kids you just can't risk it so it's better to admire the boy chicks from afar.
I do coddle boys too much but I've been lucky for the most part. I did have a rooster split my scalp open though who had been raised being handled way too much. He was SO not afraid of me :-/ Sometimes when they hit puberty they'll 1/2 heartedly charge after you like they're going to get you. That's the exact point when you want to run at them screaming like a wild woman waving your arms. You'll feel stupid if your kids are watching but he won't want to try it again.
In defense of boys though, I do have more than a few that are sweet and gentle and cuddly that I've handled since chicks. So much of it depends on genetics. The problem is you don't know which ones are going to be fine with the handling and which ones are going to turn into little monsters. And when kids are involved we don't have the luxury of risking it.
I do coddle boys too much but I've been lucky for the most part. I did have a rooster split my scalp open though who had been raised being handled way too much. He was SO not afraid of me :-/ Sometimes when they hit puberty they'll 1/2 heartedly charge after you like they're going to get you. That's the exact point when you want to run at them screaming like a wild woman waving your arms. You'll feel stupid if your kids are watching but he won't want to try it again.
In defense of boys though, I do have more than a few that are sweet and gentle and cuddly that I've handled since chicks. So much of it depends on genetics. The problem is you don't know which ones are going to be fine with the handling and which ones are going to turn into little monsters. And when kids are involved we don't have the luxury of risking it.
