Rooster personalities... Selecting a good one

[MyLittleRedCoop]

How does one go about choosing the "right" rooster?

I ordered straight runs of several breeds so that I would be able to have several roosters to choose from. They are all roughly 11 weeks old. I am pretty confident I have figured out which are the Roos and which are the pullets. Now I need to decide who to keep.

I ordered the breeds based on laying abilities and their "dual purpose" potential, so physically, any of them will do just fine. But I want to make the most educated decision possible in regards to their personalities.

Are there obvious tip-offs that a particular roo will be prone to attacking people?
Or a bully to the girls?
What behaviors should I be watching for? (Non-fearful of me? Shy?)
Is it better to have a roo that is accustomed to being handled? Or one that isn't handled?

Any personality cues or suggestions would be great!

Here is what I have:

I have one Speckled Sussex who will come over and eat out of my hand that seems to enjoy being petted. He's pecked me a couple times, but it seemed more exploratory than aggressive.

I have a Welsummer that will eat out of my hand but doesn't like being handled.

I have a black copper marans and a buff Brahmas, both seem very mellow. Not particularly inclined to socialize with me, but not fearful either. They will eat from my hand but are more inclined to hang back.

I also have a couple Dominiques and a buff Brahmas who seem more timid or fearful of me. If I put my hand out, they peck and bite.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

IMHO roosters attack predators and other roosters.
Other roosters don't bring treats and predators move fast.
If you bring treats and move slowly while they're growing it helps a lot.
Some breeds are better than others but they are individuals.

 

[Den in Penn]

There are no sure tip offs that a cockerel will become aggressive. I think though that the most likely candidate to become aggressive the one that is most comfortable with people when young. Doesn't always happen, but they have no fear of humans to hold them back. At the age of yours you have a couple of weeks yet to see how they develop. That said it is easier to have one that is accustomed to be handled, and respects you. You nay have too many to be able to see how the treat the hens. If you can watch to see which ones tidbit (call them to food), which one watches while they eat. With your chickens being young I doubt that you will be able to tell while they are learning which one courts the pullets with some respect.

 

[centrarchid]

I do not have a handle on adult behavior until a rooster is an adult. A real jerk as a juvenile / subadult can settle into a very good harem master as an adult. Adulthood not realized for most breeds until 8 months or more and even further changes can be expected around 18 months.

 

[Mrs. K]

It sounds silly, but I don't like roosters that look at me. My best rooster, always was aware of me, but seemed to pretend that I was not there, he would move out of my way, and gradually drift away from me. He was great to his ladies, and such a defender that I did not loose to a predator in tough free ranging country for more than a year, and eventually I lost him to a predator.

Recently I had a BA, and he was always watching me, looking at me, sizing me up, and as he got closer to a year old, more and more aggressive. He was culled.

Mrs K

 

[Thebazilly]

There's not really a good way to tell when they're young. I thought I had a lovely young roo on my hands for a while, but recently he's started being aggressive with the hens (they all have scabs on their combs from him grabbing them too roughly while mating, and he pecks and punishes them every time I pick one up to examine her) and just tried to flog me today while my back was turned.

I think he's going to have to take a trip to the dinner table. ):

 

[Daisy8s]

I would look for intelligence if you have any intention that the rooster act as predator alarm. I have a great roo who is very vigilant. When he was just 6 months old he led his flock mates to hide during an attack the killed two of the older hens (who were not yet in his flock). He then kept them hidden for several hours until I called the flock home. He's on guard every minute and brave, too. Recently I saw him put himself between the hens and a turkey vulture.

The downside of having an intelligent rooster is that he remembers. He hates my mom and even if she hasn't visited for 6 months he knows when she arrives and they go at it every day she's here. Personally, i think he's rather justified since she comes out swinging and attacks him every chance she can get.

He has never attacked either of my kids because I've taught them how to behave around him. So, he's intelligent enough to differentiate between people and he isn't seeking to attack; he's just reacting to the individual.

This rooster was very alert as a chick. I remember picking him out when he was just a few days old because out of a whole group he was the one looking up at me. He always led the hens in approaching us for treats and he still puts himself between us and the hens. So, I'd say he acted confident and alert from his first days.

While there will be variations among roosters I'd say that the owner is a large factor in how aggressive the rooster is. My mom and I are physically very similar, our voices sound the same, etc. Yet, my rooster can tell us apart and treats us very differently. He knows which one of us hates him and which one doesn't!

 

[4 the Birds]

I would select a rooster that is more dominate or a good Alpha. Our older rooster (Golden Comet) is the Alpha rooster and does great with watching over the flock and even fought off a friends dog that accidently got let into the free range area. The more timid rooster (Plymouth Rock) is younger but larger. He crows a lot as does the Comet but he is does not do a good job overseeing the flock. Probably hard to pick when they are so young. Many choose a rooster based on coloration and looks.

 

[MyLittleRedCoop]

Well, it sounds like the general consensus is to give them more time to grow up and mature... So that's what I'll do!

So far, only one is crowing. (He sounds like he's being strangled!) None of them is tidbit-ing. In fact, only a couple show any reserve at all when treats come out. No wing dance, no courting, etc.
Lol... I guess I'll pull up a lawn chair and watch a little chicken tv while I wait!

 

[wislandchickens]

I vote for the Welsummer..Mine was very respectful to me and the girls!