Picking Rooster Breed

[BoPeep75]

Requesting opinions on a rooster breed. I have a mixed flock, and my rooster died this past winter. I’m trying to decide what breed to replace him with. I like brahmas, barred rocks, and speckled Sussex the best out of my flock for all-around gentleness, size, foraging, and good layers. I’ve also been interested in Buckeyes. Can anyone suggest one of these four for a rooster? I know all roosters are different, but I’d like non aggression toward people and preferably gentlemanly behavior towards the hens. My last rooster was kind of a jerk to the ladies, although he was never that way toward us. He also almost never crowed, which I thought was odd, but he was kind of an odd bird. He was actually a Sussex, but I was thinking of giving the breed another chance.

 

[Smileybans]

I can only offer my opinion on the Brahma. My Brahma cockerel is the lowest on the male pecking order. He doesn’t really seem to care. He’s the youngest however and his attitude might change. But he’s gentle with his lady hatch mate and with me. He’s actually a big baby. But does his job. He calls to his girl, his hatch mate is the only one that listens to him, and watches out for her. He isn’t aggressive towards me or any people. He actually tries to chase my silkies around and when I say his name, and ask what he’s doing, he stops. I would recommend a Brahma. I love my Monster.

 

[3KillerBs]

My Light Brahma, Marion, was not at all aggressive and had a lovely, deep-toned crow but his massive size was a bit hard on the non-Brahma hens (might have helped to have more of them).

I am not getting another Brahma rooster though because I'm going to be hatching from my flock and, as much as I love Brahmas, I want better egg production and earlier maturity.

 

[DobieLover]

Requesting opinions on a rooster breed. I have a mixed flock, and my rooster died this past winter. I’m trying to decide what breed to replace him with. I like brahmas, barred rocks, and speckled Sussex the best out of my flock for all-around gentleness, size, foraging, and good layers. I’ve also been interested in Buckeyes. Can anyone suggest one of these four for a rooster? I know all roosters are different, but I’d like non aggression toward people and preferably gentlemanly behavior towards the hens. My last rooster was kind of a jerk to the ladies, although he was never that way toward us. He also almost never crowed, which I thought was odd, but he was kind of an odd bird. He was actually a Sussex, but I was thinking of giving the breed another chance.

I wouldn't focus so much on breed as on character if you already have a mixed flock.
You can look on local FB Poultry groups for a new boy. You want one that has already proven himself as a good protector and non-human aggressive.
Trust me. You post an ad on a local FB Poultry Group or two that reads "Looking for a new rooster for my flock. Show me what you've got" and within 3 hours you will be hit with about 20 different boys to choose from. Then you can ask lots of questions about the ones that you like the looks of and go meet them to see how they behave and what their condition is like.
I would also strongly suggest you avoid birds that are "oops" cockerels from a straight run order or mis-sexed pullets. Try to find a cockerel at least 6 months old that was raised in a flock of chickens with older hens and a senior rooster. They will have the best manners.

 

[BoPeep75]

I’m not on Facebook, and I have already looked through craigslist and our local sales website. I will keep on the lookout. It seems like they are sold out of a lot online as well. Even TSC was all sold out till they restock later this week.

 

[nuthatched]

I’m not on Facebook, and I have already looked through craigslist and our local sales website. I will keep on the lookout. It seems like they are sold out of a lot online as well. Even TSC was all sold out till they restock later this week.

Then wait until later this week. There's no reason to rush. Do you have a feed store you can put a flyer up at?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I understand people have trouble believing this but to me breed just isn't that important when it comes to behaviors. If you read the posts on this forum you will find posts where Silkies, RIR's, Sussex, or any other breeds of roosters were either terrors to humans or the hens or were the sweetest things ever. There is a lot of luck involved in which one you get. My suggestion is to get one that suits your other goals and see how it goes. You don't get guarantees with this kind of stuff.

I’m not on Facebook, and I have already looked through craigslist and our local sales website. I will keep on the lookout. It seems like they are sold out of a lot online as well. Even TSC was all sold out till they restock later this week.

This kind of says you are in the US. If you have an active state thread in the "Where am I? Where are you!" section of this forum you can chat with your neighbors and see what is available. As far as integration goes the easiest integration is usually with a mature rooster being introduced to a mature all-hen flock. But if you bring in an adult you have to consider quarantine and biosecurity. There are always trade-offs.

Your rooster died last winter and you are just now trying to get a chick to raise to replace him. Take enough time to get what you want.

Good luck!

 

[Folly's place]

Getting a polite adult rooster would give you the best chance to know who he is, however it's also a real health risk for your flock, if he brings in some disease that can't be managed. Marek's disease is forever!
I prefer to raise my own from chicks, realizing that some will be great, and others not. At least they won't be biosecurity risks!
And yes, there are always numbers of cockerels or roosters needing homes. Do post on your state's thread.
Mary

 

[Davethebirdman]

Requesting opinions on a rooster breed. I have a mixed flock, and my rooster died this past winter. I’m trying to decide what breed to replace him with. I like brahmas, barred rocks, and speckled Sussex the best out of my flock for all-around gentleness, size, foraging, and good layers. I’ve also been interested in Buckeyes. Can anyone suggest one of these four for a rooster? I know all roosters are different, but I’d like non aggression toward people and preferably gentlemanly behavior towards the hens. My last rooster was kind of a jerk to the ladies, although he was never that way toward us. He also almost never crowed, which I thought was odd, but he was kind of an odd bird. He was actually a Sussex, but I was thinking of giving the breed another chance.

I have a Swedish flower, beautiful and very smart birds. Not aggressive at all!