Raising a rooster to be a full-time companion animal!

[Lavendire]

Hey everyone! New to the forum... wasn't sure where to post this...

I've been raising chickens (for eggs and love only, not for meat) for two years now... They're very sweet and affectionate, but they'd rather hang out with the flock than hang out with me for too long! I had one chicken (buff orpington) that was my best buddy but she died when a cat broke into the coop.. broke my heart.
They're a very close group... I'm getting a new batch of chickens and ordered a Buff Orpington rooster-- I wanna spoil him rotten and have him as close to me as a dog or cat. Of course, he'd have full access to the outdoors and all that.

It's been my dream to have a pet rooster that would be super close to me (ever since I was in kindergarten). It may sound silly, I know.
ANYWAY... the rooster comes on the 26th (day old) and I just want some tips on how to make this bond happen!
Also someday I'd love to take him for walks around my neighborhood (I live in the country and it's very quiet around here)

thank you!

 

[cafarmgirl]

To be honest, my #1 tip would be to be prepared for a rooster NOT to be anything like the pet your dog or cat is. It just is not in them to be that way. Yes there are exceptions to the rule but there are many, many more roosters who are just what they are, roosters. And it often turns out that roosters who are coddled and spoiled when they are growing up tend to be the worst offenders as far as becoming aggressive when the hormones kick in. And if he is rooster to a flock of hens, even more so. They just don't have a natural affinity to be attached to humans like dogs and other pets.

I guess what my advice would be is to raise this bird for what he is, a rooster. Let him grow up with some natural respect for you (as opposed to coddling/spoiling him) and just let him be a rooster to your flock. Learn all you can here about rooster behavior and how to manage a rooster. I think both of you will be happier in the long run. You can certainly still enjoy having a rooster around, just expect him to be a rooster, not a dog.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

x2 on giving him respect and raising him so.
I have the most friendliest rooster. If it wasn't for his crowing he probably live in my room with me.lol.

I raised him after about 4 weeks old when his mother ditched him. He was also the only chicks out of 12 to hatch.
I fed him by hand away from the flock and made sure he got a roost spot each night. I was never to hands on with him all the time ( cuddling him ) and I think that is why he is so friendly. He respects me, he never tried to attack me or my family.

Also, if he is going to have siblings ( which he should have because your not going to be there with him 24/7 ) they are going to change him.
I think you should just try and raise him like a rooster would be raised.


Dogs and cats have lived and been bred close to humans for thousands of years, that is why they are such good companions.

 

[Roostermadchick]

To be honest, my #1 tip would be to be prepared for a rooster NOT to be anything like the pet your dog or cat is. It just is not in them to be that way. Yes there are exceptions to the rule but there are many, many more roosters who are just what they are, roosters. And it often turns out that roosters who are coddled and spoiled when they are growing up tend to be the worst offenders as far as becoming aggressive when the hormones kick in. And if he is rooster to a flock of hens, even more so. They just don't have a natural affinity to be attached to humans like dogs and other pets.

I guess what my advice would be is to raise this bird for what he is, a rooster. Let him grow up with some natural respect for you (as opposed to coddling/spoiling him) and just let him be a rooster to your flock. Learn all you can here about rooster behavior and how to manage a rooster. I think both of you will be happier in the long run. You can certainly still enjoy having a rooster around, just expect him to be a rooster, not a dog.

I handraised a rooster and 3 hens - there are ferals where I live and the chicks wete born in the winter. I woke up to find 14 chicks laying dead on the frosty lawn. I put them on the electric blanket to see if any would revive and 4 did. The hens are running with the flock but the rooster is completely bonded to me. I've gone from being his mother to his girlfriend. He occionaally tries to mate with my arm and then he jumps of crows off and does his little dance around me. I don't let him sit on my arm anymore! But I can tell you he absolutely loves being cuddled and petted and being carried around in my arms

 

[Roostermadchick]

I handraised a rooster and 3 hens - there are ferals where I live and the chicks wete born in the winter. I woke up to find 14 chicks laying dead on the frosty lawn. I put them on the electric blanket to see if any would revive and 4 did. The hens are running with the flock but the rooster is completely bonded to me. I've gone from being his mother to his girlfriend. He occionaally tries to mate with my arm and then he jumps of crows off and does his little dance around me. I don't let him sit on my arm anymore! But I can tell you he absolutely loves being cuddled and petted and being carried around in my arms

He also loves sitting on the sofa with me and generally hanging out inside the house with me. Be prepared for the occasional poo. I have to let him inside a few times a day because he crows off outside the door for me. It can be a nuisance if you're not committed. But I absolutely love him! My partner isn't impressed with the house guest.

 

[Roostermadchick]

My pet rooster comes to the back door every evening and expects me to carry him to his ccop.

 

[Roostermadchick]

I handraised a rooster and 3 hens - there are ferals where I live and the chicks wete born in the winter. I woke up to find 14 chicks laying dead on the frosty lawn. I put them on the electric blanket to see if any would revive and 4 did. The hens are running with the flock but the rooster is completely bonded to me. I've gone from being his mother to his girlfriend. He occionaally tries to mate with my arm and then he jumps of crows off and does his little dance around me. I don't let him sit on my arm anymore! But I can tell you he absolutely loves being cuddled and petted and being carried around in my arms

 

[theoldchick]

I know this is an old thread:

https://www.facebook.com/cottonadventures/

 

[Shadrach]

What happens if the cockerel/chick you get doesn't want to be your friend?

 

[theoldchick]

What happens if the cockerel/chick you get doesn't want to be your friend?

Goes back to the coop!