Questions on rooster behavior: ideal breeds, nature vs. nurture, etc.

[Kjirstyn]

I realize that every chicken/rooster has its own personality, but are there any breeds of rooster that are particularly well known for turning out decent personalities? We've had 6 roosters of varying breeds and mixes, and every last one was a mean old punk and got turned into dinner. Our hens are sweet and docile since we raised them from chicks with lots of handling, so it's not super fun to watch them get raped (there's really no other word for the violent act inflicted on them).

We had nice roosters as kids (some nice, some not) but I have no idea what all affects that. If you raise them from young with lots of handling and a head smack whenever they do something mean, are they semi- trainable? We did our hens this way (a cuff on the head whenever they peck us or each other) and they no longer peck. It's delightful. Can this be mimicked in roosters, or is my only hope to track down breeds that have good odds of gentlemanly behavior?

I understand that serious heritage breeds will "dance" for their girls, which doubles as some form of foreplay and makes the whole situation more of a mutual agreement rather than an attack. Does anybody know much about this? I've only ever read about it in one place. What breeds do this?

Thanks in advance for any input, I appreciate it!

 

[TheChips]

I feel the same way when the male rooster attacks them to mate. I have big hens and a bantom rooster. I can only imagine a larger one jumping on them!

Everyone has their own preference on if a rooster is needed. I feel after this one goes I wont be getting another one. I raised 4 roosters and kept this one. He was the "nicest" of the 4. I hand raised them since the day they were born. Their mom abandoned them and didnt want to keep them warm so a neighbor gave them to me. I had 5. So out of those only one was a hen. I kept her and the "nicest" rooster.

Theyre pros and cons to roosters. If you dont need fertile eggs then you dont need them. YET they watch over the flock while theyre out. My little guy keeps the hens from their occasional fighting and separates them. As small as he is he gets the job done.

I read this thread and it was really helpful and Im still finding myself going in there once in a while when I have rooster troubles.

As far as your other questions i hope some of the members can help you out. There are so many wonderful knowledgeable long time members in this community its great learning from them

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/821717/how-to-raise-a-rooster