Rasing a non-aggressive rooster.

[centrarchid]

re nature vs nurture effect:
I had an aggressive rooster. At age 1 1/2 yr, he was culled, but I allowed a hen to hatch 3 eggs fertilized by him. She raised the babies. There was 1 cockerel, and he has grown up to be completely polite and gentle, toward humans and chickens alike. He is now a benevolent leader of the flock and I trust him completely.
I raised the father from a chick. I did not ever cuddle, hand feed, etc. I thought I followed the rules, making him stay out of my space, move out of my way. But he turned out to be human aggressive, whereas his son, raised by a hen is respectful and friendly.
I think the difference is that the hen taught the son proper chicken behavior. I'd like to hear from others with hen-raised roosters and the outcomes.

I do hen-reared, brooder-reared and hand-reared every year with genetics accounted for. At least several using each method per year. It is method of handling that makes difference in my setting.

 

[The Happster]

I wrote this article that explains a bit about how the rooster sees his world. The article doesn't give "how to" information really. There are so many different circumstances and personalities to take into consideration. What the article may do is help you understand what can make a rooster human aggressive.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

Great article. Really interesting.

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

In my experience at least it’s seems to be somewhat genetic but can be influenced by handling the bird. I received three two-week old chicks with the purchase of two co-parent broody mommas all of which were basically feral as they had never been handled much. Two and of the three ended up being roosters and are the sweetest boys ever, one sits on my shoulder or on my hand and is very tolerant, the other sits completely still while holding him and seems to completely submit, but he’s very respectful of humans and I’ve never been pecked or attacked by either. The third chick, their sister, is not mean either but does not enjoy being handled(like her mother’s) they were all handled the same amount as chicks.
I have a third rooster I bought as a nearly full grown cockerel at a show and he was unfriendly and afraid of hands, so every time I reached into his cage at the show I’d get full out flogged by this little bird...fast forward five months and he’s the sweetest little dude ever and is now my showmanship bird. All I did was hold him when he got sassy with me to show him who’s boss. So I really think friendliness is somewhat genetic and it can be taught depending on the bird. Sometimes though the birds just a jerk and may be better off as Sunday dinner

 

[Perris]

I'd like to hear from others with hen-raised roosters and the outcomes.

the one PITA in my experience was hen-raised, like the other 3. They've all had the same treatment from me, and the other 3 are lovely.

 

[SueT]

the one PITA in my experience was hen-raised, like the other 3. They've all had the same treatment from me, and the other 3 are lovely.

Well, there we go. I don't know then. I just don't know what makes the difference.

 

[Shadrach]

Well, there we go. I don't know then. I just don't know what makes the difference.

You make the difference.
I don't believe there is a method that can be applied to every rooster in any circumstances.
I've had some nightmare roosters, but it only lasted for a period of time. Some have more trouble growing up than others. Some people are better with roosters than others. I can do some things with some roosters here that I can't do with others.
I've often thought that many who come to these forums for rooster advice get set on the wrong track with these two words, "respect" and "dominance". They are concepts that if strived for are bound to lead to disaster for both parties.
What I want is cooperation and communication. Ime once a rooster is satisfied you are not out to do him harm, or undermine his authority, or mishandle his hens, they're fine.
I've had quite a few roosters and as many will know if they've read my posts, they exist with me rather than I keep them.

 

[mmikchicken]

I've read on here that some people think rooster aggressiveness is genetic, and I've also read people saying that the way the human has raised/handled their cockrel has lead to an aggressive rooster. So I guess it's possibly a bit of nature and nurture in varying quantities.

Anyway. My current rooster came to me as a well mannered 4 year old. He's a banty cochin. He largely ignored me and moves out of my way when I go into the coop. I've never petted him and he will actively run away from me if I need to pick him up to check him over etc, so I now do that at night. He is great with the girls (10 of them including the pullet) and gets them all in their coop nice and early every evening.

Now I also have an 8 wk old BO cockrel. He's been in the same run as my main flock and his 8 wks old pullet hatchmate for a week or so now. They seem to be mingling well during the day but they choose to go to their own smaller coop at night. I'm hoping the older rooster and hens will teach him some manners as he grows up.

I would very much like to keep him and get pure BO chicks from him and his hatchmate. The last time I had my older rooster at the vet he said 5 or 6 was really good going for a rooster and he was starting to get old. So I'd like my cockrel to eventually be his replacement.

How do I go about giving him the best chance of being not human aggressive? I've read so much conflicting information around whether to make him a pet and cuddle and stroke him, or don't overly handle him and keep a bit of fear in there?

Any thoughts?

I currently have two 11 week old roosters, and they are quite the sweethearts. When they were baby chicks, when we got them, we thought they were hens so I, along with my family would hold them for a long time, and play and cuddle with them every day. Now, when I go outside and sit down, they will jump up on me to be petted or cuddled. They are also quite sweet to the rest of the flock, and when they perch at night, they always sleep next to each other. It might just be that they are just a rare occurrence and are a pair of sweet chickens *knock on wood they stay like that* but the petting and cuddling also might have played a part.