Rooster breeds and behavioral differences

[Dona Worry]

I heard the other day that Buff Orpington and RiR roosters are famous for being human aggressive. This just got me wondering, how consistent is this? What other breeds are more aggressive vrs docile? Which are best or more gentlemanly with their hens?
I currently have a 7 months ish Polish crested who I have zero complaints with, and a very docile EE at almost 5 months, but I see cockerels of comparable ages on Facebook all the time, with owners desperate to be rid of them because they are attacking their dog, kids, legs, hens, etc... Seems a lot of them are RiR or BOs!
So what are your thoughts?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

All are individuals to me.

Some it matters how they were raised (NO LAP BOYS EVER AGAIN here). Others are Stew Pidasso's from very early on.

I tend to not judge by breed per say... it's really no difference than judging according to race... while many will fit the profile... not all are guilty by association.

 

[Cheyenne97]

My dad has a RIR roo who is aggressive but he doesn’t charge at us. He just buffs up and tries to charge when we mess with his ladies. I have a Salmon Faverolle roo who is very sweet. He is very shy around the ladies and is scared of them. (Smart boy)

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I currently have a 7 months ish Polish crested who I have zero complaints with, and a very docile EE at almost 5 months,

Let's be clear... cockerels and roosters are two completely different animals.

Most cockerels will be raging with hormones that make them as awful as any other teenager. They don't yet know their boundaries and will test to find them. Hormones will hit different boys at different times. And when they try to mate ladies may still be clumsy and possibly still learning their manners.

Knowing how to conduct YOURSELF around a cockerel from early on can be key.

He just buffs up and tries to charge when we mess with his ladies.

That's just protective... not aggressive. If a boy won't at least try to be protective (once mature cockerels don't count) then he is of no use to me or my flock.

Aggressive cocks will often charge you at the fence, pretend to be busy near you until your back is turned and then maybe a quick attack and retreat, crow AT you when they see you... come from across the pasture to attack a dog playing Frisbee nowhere near the hens and so on.

 

[HuskerHens18]

I agree that they're all individuals, but the ratio of mean to friendly roosters is breed related IMHO.
For example I've owned 3 RIR roosters, they were monsters. They sliced open the back of my leg, I have a horrible scar. I gave them away thinking all RIR were monsters, and then later that year my friend showed me her RIR rooster and he was the sweetest little guy I've ever seen. So you could maybe say than 1 out of every 4 RIR roosters is friendly to people.

Personally I have never owned a mean Orphington, my rooster is sweet and respectful to me and an angel to the hens, and I've got another 7 cockerels so far doing great as well.
But I'm sure if you asked the next person, they could say their Orphington was the devil.
Another awful breed I owned was Brahmas, ugh they were all horrible roosters. Both to the hens and me. I hated them all. I had 5 I believe.
I've owned 2 Houdans and they are pretty bad too. They scratch and bite and I just wanna strangle them.

My favorite roosters are Orphingtons, Cochins(both Bantam and Standard), Frizzles/Sizzles, and Super Blues. So far those breeds have been absolutely amazing to me and the hens.

 

[Dona Worry]

That's just protective... not aggressive. If a boy won't at least try to be protective (once mature cockerels don't count) then he is of no use to me or my flock.

My two get REALLY upset if the pullets squabble or I need to pick one up for whatever reason, and the polish crested has decided his duty in life is to stand straight up and SHRIEK if he sees (or thinks he sees), hears, smells, or imagines a threat.
Probably 4 or 5 times a day I hear a loud squawk and see everyone run for cover!

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I agree that they're all individuals, but the ratio of mean to friendly roosters is breed related IMHO.
For example I've owned 3 RIR roosters, they were monsters. They sliced open the back of my leg, I have a horrible scar. I gave them away thinking all RIR were monsters, and then later that year my friend showed me her RIR rooster and he was the sweetest little guy I've ever seen. So you could maybe say than 1 out of every 4 RIR roosters is friendly to people.

Personally I have never owned a mean Orphington, my rooster is sweet and respectful to me and an angel to the hens, and I've got another 7 cockerels so far doing great as well.
But I'm sure if you asked the next person, they could say their Orphington was the devil.
Another awful breed I owned was Brahmas, ugh they were all horrible roosters. Both to the hens and me. I hated them all. I had 5 I believe.
I've owned 2 Houdans and they are pretty bad too. They scratch and bite and I just wanna strangle them.

My favorite roosters are Orphingtons, Cochins(both Bantam and Standard), Frizzles/Sizzles, and Super Blues. So far those breeds have been absolutely amazing to me and the hens.

same here. I have never met a mean buff orp roo. they are usally real gents. it also is not a breed issue, most of the time it is just personality... I might note that bantam old English game roos seem to be more aggressive than other roosters, but that might just be a coincidence.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have tried many breeds of roosters, some said to be always aggressive like Rhode island red and hatchery barred rocks. I personally see no human aggression out of any of those that I try. I think it has more to do with the individual raising them, and the manner in which they are raised, and possibly kept. My birds are all free range with a large shed so it's never me versus a penned energetic rooster that's feeling his oats, or feeling cornered.

The smaller your set up, and the less experience you have seems to be a bigger factor than the breed. I adore my buff Orpington roosters, and my Rhode island red was a perfect bird. Breeding probably plays somewhat into it as well.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I have tried many breeds of roosters, some said to be always aggressive like Rhode island red and hatchery barred rocks. I personally see no human aggression out of any of those that I try. I think it has more to do with the individual raising them, and the manner in which they are raised, and possibly kept. My birds are all free range with a large shed so it's never me versus a penned energetic rooster that's feeling his oats, or feeling cornered.

The smaller your set up, and the less experience you have seems to be a bigger factor than the breed. I adore my buff Orpington roosters, and my Rhode island red was a perfect bird. Breeding probably plays somewhat into it as well.

that is true, some manerisims are genetic.

 

[Mrs. K]

Space is a key issue, people with large flocks generally have had chickens for a long time period, have a large space set ups and seldom have trouble with roosters. Smaller and medium set ups, can have more problems. Roosters just raised with flock mates, tend to be more of a bully than not.

However, to me and my experience, roosters are a crap shoot, and what color they is the least of it. I have had several good ones, 2 outstanding ones, and a couple that were just asked to diner.

If you are going to have a rooster, have a plan B set up and ready to go.

Mrs K