Rooster questions

[bobbi-j]

What do you mean by hand raised?

Roosters that are hand fed, held and cuddled from babyhood on. The theory is, they see you as part of the flock and will try to dominate you because they have not been taught to respect you or your space.

ETA - a rooster that attacks children would have no place in my flock, either.

 

[KentuckyRooster]

If you do want a roo get a tiny lil bantam breed from pet lines...preferably one who's already an adult. Try local breeders. That way you can have a proper roo you can adore and who won't hurt you or your kids.

 

[centrarchid]

i have three Roos that I can tell right now but only one crows. He is considerably older than the other two but they should be crowing now as well. Is it a dominant thing that the other two won't crow? Also, this older roo has starting attacking my two younger kids , 3 and 18 mos. is this an aggressive trait that I should eliminate? Or does he just see them as a threat cause they are the same size as he is? I would rather not have to move him to the freezer but kids safety comes first.....

The aggression against the other roosters is generally not a predictor as to how he will behave to towards children or humans in general. Interactions with humans needs to be vetted with humans. In my setting, mature roosters do not suppress crowing of others within their own social group. Hearing someone they do not know does get them riled up.

Hand-rearing in itself does not promote aggression towards humans in itself. If that were the case nearly a third of my game cocks would be very difficult to work with, which they are not. Other factors at play and it is increasingly clear that we do not have handle on them.

If the roosters start to show aggression against you, then cull. That approach can be adjusted as you get experienced.

 

[Alaskan]

I cull very strongly for personality.

Gentle roosters are great. Some breeds have a much higher percentage of gentle kid safe roosters than others.

Bantam breeds are often a bad choice for a gentle rooster.

Most of my Dominique roosters have been good, about 1/5 of my Leghorn roosters have been good, all of my Spitz roosters have been excellent (but I have fancy breeder lines of the Spitz..(and Leghorn)...haven't tried the hatchery version of the Spitz).

Spitz- Appenzeller Spitzhauben

 

[KentuckyRooster]

I cull very strongly for personality.

Gentle roosters are great. Some breeds have a much higher percentage of gentle kid safe roosters than others.

Bantam breeds are often a bad choice for a gentle rooster.

Most of my Dominique roosters have been good, about 1/5 of my Leghorn roosters have been good, all of my Spitz roosters have been excellent (but I have fancy breeder lines of the Spitz..(and Leghorn)...haven't tried the hatchery version of the Spitz).

Spitz- Appenzeller Spitzhauben

Bantam cochin and silkie are often bred for temperament. The queen of england kept cochins. They are docile and my roos tend to be very docile. Like I said, go to a breeder. Hatchery chickens aren't generally true to temperament of the breed. Cochin should be a calm breed of chicken and my roos are that, with charming personalities and never have they dreamed of turning on a person. They don't even go into it with the other boys much.

 

[Alaskan]

I haven't ever had Silkie's or male Cochins...so thanks for the tips.

It is true that my boys just loved the little female bantam white Cochins we had once. Those girls were so calm and sweet and tame. They would happily sit on the arms of the kids and get love. Great pets. (except I hate the feathered feet )

 

[Alaskan]

oh... the sweet Cochin girls that I had were hatchery...

but I agree with the above poster that breeder stock would have a better chance of having roosters with good personalities...if they breed for that. ...you need to ask.

 

[Diannastarr]

i have three Roos that I can tell right now but only one crows. He is considerably older than the other two but they should be crowing now as well. Is it a dominant thing that the other two won't crow? Also, this older roo has starting attacking my two younger kids , 3 and 18 mos. is this an aggressive trait that I should eliminate? Or does he just see them as a threat cause they are the same size as he is? I would rather not have to move him to the freezer but kids safety comes first.....

OMG that attack roo needs to go right away ...!! no and ifs or butts about it , he is in essence biting the hand that feeds him , no way should that ever happen...!

 

[Diannastarr]

I haven't ever had Silkie's or male Cochins...so thanks for the tips.

It is true that my boys just loved the little female bantam white Cochins we had once. Those girls were so calm and sweet and tame. They would happily sit on the arms of the kids and get love. Great pets. (except I hate the feathered feet )

me toI hate the feathered feet

 

[chickens really]

What do you mean by hand raised?

She means holding and loving up the Chicks and the young Cockerels...