Ooooh, Patchwork!
What a splendid and handsome rooster! I've not ever seen one with that coloring.
And OP, it could be that your roo bit you because he misinterpreted your gesture, when you reached over to pet him he may have thought it was a threat and acted defensively. As long as he doesn't initiate aggressive behavior (pecking, biting, spurring, flogging) with no provocation, I wouldn't tag him as a bad-mannered rooster.
I don't know how much chickens appreciate being petted. It feels nice to us, and some birds will tolerate it better than others, but I don't know if they really enjoy the feeling. Maybe it feels like a giant tongue smoothing down their feathers in preparation for eating? When I am holding a chicken that likes to be held I will scratch behind its neck instead of petting its feathers, they seem to like that better.
Besides a mannerly disposition, I also prefer a rooster that is generous towards his hens and will call them over with a buk-buk-buk when he spies a tasty treat, instead of gobbling it up for himself. That, and a rooster who does a nice wing dance to woo his ladies.
Let us know who stays & who goes!
