Question on rooster selection?

[Pnjerles74]

I am getting close to thining out my cockerels. Right now I have 4 Barred Rock cockerels that are about 13 weeks old. I'm going to keep one of them but am not sure what to base the choice on. I am not trying to breed for any kind of show quality birds or anything like that. I just would like a rooster to help protect my hens. Non aggression to humans is important to me.

Right now none of the 4 are aggressive, but there is one that is overly friendly and will even sit in your lap. I have had someone tell me that was actually a bad thing as that means they do not respect you. Is that true? He also kind of keeps more to himself and always backs down immediately in any kind of sparring they try to do.

I kind of have it narrowed down to him and one other. The other looks a lot better as far as his feathers, feet, etc., and he acts a little more roosterish if you know what I mean. I definitely think he is the dominant of the 4. He has not been aggressive to me or anyone else, but I am concerned if he is the dominant bird then he may start to be aggressive to humans. The only category he is behind the friendly guy in is weight. You can tell he is not quite as heavy.

Any thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Pwrsonally, I would hold on to the 2 you're considering and just get rid of the other two. That's 2 less mouths to feed while you're still picking.

Personally I haven't had problems with overly friendly males when it comes to agression, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree that you could eliminate one or two, and see how your favorites develop. It's hard! Eliminate any who have obvious structural defects, or whatever. then watch them grow, and don't be in a huge hurry about it. When one or two of them are gone, the remaining birds will have more space to show who they are, which will be helpful.
If you actually have four good guys, that's great! Maybe they can find new homes out there.
Mary

 

[3KillerBs]

Watching this thread in order to learn for the future.

 

[Brooks_]

Watching this thread in order to learn for the future.

Watching as well. I have already thinned to one keeper that I intend to use for breeding, with that will come more roosters. The more I learn, the better.

 

[Folly's place]

'Friendly' and 'bold' are often the same thing! And being new to chickens, interpreting mindset is harder; experience helps, and you are getting experience now. See how these boys mature, and you will have a that experience for next year.
Mary

 

[Pnjerles74]

Thank you all for all your replies and advice.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Watch the behavior of the pullets to determine which cockerel that they prefer. Chickens know.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Right now none of the 4 are aggressive, but there is one that is overly friendly and will even sit in your lap. I have had someone tell me that was actually a bad thing as that means they do not respect you. Is that true? He also kind of keeps more to himself and always backs down immediately in any kind of sparring they try to do.

I’ve had several aggressive roosters. Some were friendly as chicks, some were skittish, and a couple started trying to bite as young as 8 weeks old. I have not noticed friendly roosters having any more of a tendency towards aggression than standoffish ones.

 

[Parront]

I can tell you how I chose the one I kept. He was the largest at 14 weeks, which is as old as his sons will be when I choose his successor. I think I would agree on processing or selling the 2 you know you do not want, and when you have those 2 finalists, you might be better able to compare them.