rooster breeds

[BantyChooks]

I was happy with my sumatra line in there, and man they are so awesome at avoiding predators as described. We have 1-2 hawks trying to poach my birds daily overwinter and the only casualty was a hawk slamming into my house.

Oh what I had intended to say is that pamphlet was created in 09 as well. I think they just did the one and done!

Oh, that. I gotcha.

 

[Rye]

I hate to crash the party but, man aggression in cockerels/cocks has nothing to do with how you treat or love the bird. It's genetics. You are gonna get a good one or a bad one from any breed from a hatchery. It really is a crap shoot as they do not cull birds for man aggression.

If you want a chance at a bird that is going to be great toward people and the hens, then go to a breeder. The Gamefowl mentioned earlier are going to be fantastic and your best bet. After that, find a good breeder who culls for man aggression and you will most likely get one that is fine in the breed of your choice.

Do not base your choice off of a breed characteristic and then order from a hatchery. Majority of the time you will be disappointed.

 

[Amer]

I am thinking about getting a rooster this spring along with 12 new pullets, but I just don't know what breed to get. I want something not too aggressive but not too docile. I was thinking about a welsummer, does anyone have any ideas.

Our Welsummer is great, but so human paranoid he wouldn't do a good job. I would suggest a Buckeye rooster if you can get it. They are skittish when young, but he no longer struggles once you catch him, though he doesn't just let you pick him up. He is like a huge teddy bear. Ours (we used to have more than one) have never threatened us, but do a good job protecting our flock in free range conditions, and do not beat the hens or bully the roosters. Once we got rid of our former alpha rooster he just took over that spot. His interests are completely in the hens, something I could not say for our Welsummer, d'Anvers, Ameraucanas, or Cochin, though he may be suppressing them from that. Our Dominique bantam does well, but not as well. We also have had a bantam Brahma, d'Uclles aggressive Jersey Giants, and aggressive Wyandotte. When the Brahma died, we thought he was irreplaceable, but the Buckeye did better. The Brahma was likely an exception, because he took over roosters larger than him. I am not sure what it would be like with full sized Brahmas. The d'Uccles were not interested in the hens very much. Sure there can be an exceptional aggressive Buckeye, but I would suggest that.
I'd better add that mine was from a breeder.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I'm thinking it is puberty and hormones. I have a couple that I don't trust entirely but am going to hold off on removing them until they are fully mature.

 

[Gino1126]

Personal Preference: Barred Rock / New Hampshire

 

[aplummer101]

This is a EE that my daughter fell in love with and was 2 years old in the video. He was really friendly and could be picked up and carried around by anyone. That being said for some reason he didn't like people wearing boots inside the coop and would attack. He even attacked me one day. Not a big deal but it was strange. I agree with the above post that it depends how you take care of them, the more you work with them the more docile they will be. Our rooster was nice and docile with us (other than when we wore boots) but took care of a flock of 20+ hens. Hope you find this info useful.

 

[BantyChooks]

has nothing to do with how you treat or love the bird

Not entirely true. They will go bad if handled incorrectly, and when raised right cockerels that otherwise would go bad stay mannerly.

One of these days I am going to prove it to myself by taking one destined for the pot anyway and treating him in the manner I have observed to be consistent with inspiring aggression.

Of course, there are some that just plain aren't suited for remaining around people, and yes, shouldn't be allowed to pass their genetics on. I had an Australorp that I trusted about as far as I can throw a fridge. He made good chili.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

My 5 Welsummer roosters are wonderful. Not aggressive at all. And they're gorgeous. 3 were bought as day old chicks, and 2 are homegrown. The only problem that I can think of is that they have very large waddles and combs, which can be problematic in very cold places due to frostbite. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

 

[BantyChooks]

they have very large waddles

...that is a trait most consistent in ducks.

 

[Silkies rule Forever]

Rhode Island Reds or bardrocks