Rooster Trouble Question

[Chicken_overlord]

Hello!

We currently have a 7 month old buff orpington that we were excited about using to produce buff orpington hatching eggs. However, he has developed an attitude this past week. He went after my legs with his beak last week and again today, he went after my legs with his feet with my back turned and then immediately again when facing me. Thank goodness he doesn’t have spurs yet!

Given his age, I'm fully aware this behavior will worsen, so he's listed for sale (with full disclosure of why) and if he doesn't sell in the next week or so, then he'll end up in our stew pot. Very disappointing as we have really enjoyed having him so far.

So now I'm looking at purchasing another roo. I just purchased two ameraucana female chicks along with a French copper marans female chick. I'm curious if ameraucana or marans roos typically have decent attitudes?

What is everyone's suggestions when looking for a new roo? And based on everyone's experience, are ameraucana or marans roosters typically more chill? Should I look for an older rooster for sale or avoid that option due to increase cases of bird flu and just start over with a day-old chick?

 

[CoopBoots]

I'd either adopt an older boy you can observe for behavioral issues and then quarantine, or raise a group of cockerels within your existing flock and select from them based on behavior. The latter option only works if you can vote off cockerels easily in a way that works for your keeping style.

I expect to be able to pick up a rooster, walk around him fully, and for him to move away peaceably if I need to go through his space or into it. He shouldn't be pecking my boots, raising his hackles, or grabbing my hands. He definitely should not stalk me in preparation for an attack (this includes keeping his head to the ground while fake-pecking sticks and grass, while walking a circle around you and looking for an opening to attack. You'll be able to tell he isn't eating or foraging, just picking things up and dropping them while constantly circling you). He should not always try to be behind you, either, as that is another sign of an impending sneak attack.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

I'm curious if ameraucana or marans roos typically have decent attitudes?

In my experience males from the Ameraucana family tend to be nervous, insecure types which results in lots of crowing and skittishness. I've not had a Maran before but I hear they're quite loud which is also typically a sign of insecurity. Think big dogs versus small dogs. Little dogs yap all the time to make up for being small

I've never witnessed human violence from an Ameraucana though. They're loud and ungentlemanly if you know what I mean, but not the slightest bit dangerous to humans

 

[Mrs. K]

I would suggest you contact your county extension agent, they often know of poultry clubs or 4H groups. But you can also post at the feed store.

Thing is, roosters are fairly easy to come by. What you want is a year old rooster that has been raised in a multi-generational flock and is so nice, he has not been culled by a person that would have culled him if he wasn't.

I would not fret about the breed. Thing is, there are rotten roosters in every breed, and there are good roosters, breeds really don't have a lot to do with it.

Mrs K

 

[Chicken_overlord]

Thank you all for the replies! And thank you for the help with what's appropriate from a roo. I was surprised when he went after me. He so far has only gone after me when I'm walking through the hens, but he had three strikes and now he's out.

My mother-in-law has a splash marans rooster that's about a year old that they would probably be willing to let me have. They say he's super sweet and isn't at all aggressive. However, my concern there is that they do 0% biosecurity so he's constantly around wild birds and he's third in the rooster pecking order. I've heard when rooster moves up with a new flock their behavior can change.

I didn't think about reaching out to 4h clubs. There's a poultry show coming up in my area so I'll have to stop in and chat with some people there.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

However, my concern there is that they do 0% biosecurity so he's constantly around wild birds

That means he has a healthy functioning immune system. In my opinion exposing chickens fully to nature is the best way to have healthy chickens

 

[Chicken_overlord]

I completely agree with that to an extent. I free range my chickens and understand that's very healthy for them. However, with my mother-in-law's flock, the wild birds eat and poop in the same food her flock eats from and with bird flu cases on the rise, I simply don't want to risk it, not to mentioned the other diseases wild birds harbor. Also, due to the constant wild bird exposure, I'd be surprised if her chickens didn't also have some mite trouble as well. He is a very handsome rooster, I just don't know if I'm willing to take on the long quarantine process.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm curious if ameraucana or marans roos typically have decent attitudes?

I agree with those that said breed does not matter. If you read enough threads and posts on here you'll find roosters and hens of any breed that are total jerks or total sweethearts. Each is an individual with its own personality.

What is everyone's suggestions when looking for a new roo?

How scared are you of bird flu or other diseases or parasites? Any time you bring in another chicken you take a chance on bringing in something. The highest risk are the ones from auctions or chicken swaps. Better are the ones from other flocks, but certainly not without risk. Chicks from the feed store are pretty safe, the main risk is from the people walking around carrying something on their clothing or that they picked up something during shipping. Chicks from a major are really safe, again the risk being during shipping. Getting hatching eggs and hatching them yourself, either with an incubator or a broody hen, is pretty safe. Very few diseases are transmitted through eggs.

I consider some things like mites or worms to be more of an inconvenience than a real threat. They can be treated. But it is always possible to bring in something that will wipe out your flock. A lot less likely than mites or worms but still possible.

I don't know your risk tolerance. It doesn't sound like it is really high. These are my suggestions on how you could bring in a new rooster. What you do has to be your choice.

For what it is worth the way I get new genetics is to get chicks mailed to me from a major hatchery. When I do that I generally order a lot, 10 to 20, so I can select the one I like most and eat the rest. A few times I've gotten hatching eggs. Once I brought in chicks from a feed store but that after a really bad hatch and I needed some to raise for meat. Mostly I hatch my own eggs.

 

[Mrs. K]

Don't do anything you are hesitant with. Go with your gut. It is not that you could not make a mistake, we all have, but if you have qualms and make a mistake, you will always wish you hadn't, and it might make for hard feelings in the family.

 

[McChooky]

Thank you all for the replies! And thank you for the help with what's appropriate from a roo. I was surprised when he went after me. He so far has only gone after me when I'm walking through the hens, but he had three strikes and now he's out.

My mother-in-law has a splash marans rooster that's about a year old that they would probably be willing to let me have. They say he's super sweet and isn't at all aggressive. However, my concern there is that they do 0% biosecurity so he's constantly around wild birds and he's third in the rooster pecking order. I've heard when rooster moves up with a new flock their behavior can change.

I didn't think about reaching out to 4h clubs. There's a poultry show coming up in my area so I'll have to stop in and chat with some people there.

Letting your hens raise one they hatch themselves is the best option. 2nd best would be find a 1 yr old because he's past the worst stage. I wouldn't consider the mother in laws if her flock is diseased.

Edit:
Mites can lie dormant in the winter and not be seen by the naked eyes. Ordering chicks is the safest route