Roo survey - did you hold them as babies?

I treat everyone the same, hen or roo, no idea what makes some go psycho here! Be I handle them all a lot or just maintain their living quarters, each roo in each breed is different. Only if there was a formula.

 

Mine is 6 months, he is not aggressive and has been held maybe once or twice a week since he was little. He has only given me warning noises if he thinks I'm hurting one of his girls but has never come at me....

I never hurt the girls, they just protest now and then when I pick them up. He does keep a very watchful eye on me but so far is very respectful.

 

I have only had two roo's - one was a full sized - hardly held as a baby turned very nasty and started flogging us when ever we were in the yard - rehomed him
the roo I have now is a banty - learned from my mistakes and hold him often a few times everyday - he keeps an eye on me when i need to do anything with the girls and has " mocked charged " a time or two when one of the girls made a fuss - but he has never really done anything.
but roo's were raised by me from tiny little fuzzybutts.

I dont know what makes them mean - but if I get anymore roos I plan to hold them as often as possible.


Julie

 

I hatched 3 roos... same parents... looked almost identical... all three with different personalities! Like kids. I handled all of them allot. The one who didn't want attention at first became the biggest baby. None ended up aggressive although one was a bit more "cocky" than the other two.

 

I have 3 roo's, all around 1 1/2 years old.

1 we raised and handled often, the other 2 were raised by someone else who handled them often.

When my barred rock was 8 months old he turned aggressive toward humans, but we followed the steps I have listed on my page and were able to modify his behavior. I now have zero problems from him except he likes to pitch a fit when you first pick him up.

The other 2 acted aggressive for a day, then calmed right down.

It all depends on the individual rooster, and I don't think handling him often as a chick makes any difference.
How you handle him as an adult can make alot of difference.

 

my roo (ok, cockeral)was taken everywhere w/ me when he was a baby and lived his first few weeks in a cup b/c he couldnt stand. he is friendlier than any of my hens. and runs to me and goes on walks in his harness! see? his name is peter

 

Bantam Wyandotte...... my son got him when he was 5 weeks old......held often.....could run around the living room..
About 10 - 11 months old.......has jumped on my legs once when I turned to go out the door. I slapped him, now he keeps his distance if I go in with him but will charge the fence somtimes.
Has pecked my son a few times but never attacked him.


OEGB...........got when 3 months old......very seldom held.....about 1 year now......very calm and gentle........will try to get away from you but will allow you to hold him


Polish, cochins, japs, BR, JG, sebrights.............about 8 months old.........had in brooder box outside, would move to a 6 X 8 pen during the day to run around........we never actually held them but would go in the pen and sit with them.....they were allowed to jump/sit on us and get off at will........except for the occasional peck when we reach out to rub one, all have been very friendly to now.

 

We had two roos that we handled as babies. When they reached 5 months they became aggressive toward one another, and the dominant one became aggressive toward us. He bit my daughter and flew at me with his talons out. We butchered him, and once he was out of the picture everything has been just fine. The other rooster has taken over and so far so good, he lets us pet him and has not shown any aggressive behaviour toward us yet.

 

I have one roo here that is now a yr
He was handled alot ( I mean alot) He is finger arm trained and will ride on your sholder Loves to be cuddled, hugged and will sit with you for hours if allowed to ( sleeps in my lap) People love him and I love to take him out. He went to 3 fairs this yr and was a wonderful ambassior for chickens. The roo I haven't handled nearly as much are far from mean but a bit flighty but will allow u to hold them without a fuss. These boys are from 3 yr and younger. I have gotten one Demon Bird he was a sebright and was my sons showmanship bird he went mean after fairs and we found him a diffrent place to call home to this day hes not a nice guy.


Allie