Roosters - Aggressive Breeds / Friendly Breeds?

[Boonze]

Hi everyone
I am looking at getting my first rooster to go with my two current banties, a sussex and a pekin. So far I am super keen for pekins (definitely will be getting some more hens to go with my current ones), but since I live in the suburbs and my brother may have to care for them if I'm away for a weekend etc, I'm wondering if Pekins are indeed a good breed rooster-wise. I'll be handling the sound with a no-crow collar so sound won't be an issue.

I'd much prefer a bantam rooster over a standard, but if there are any bigger breeds known for being docile even with roosters that are available in SE Queesland I'd love to hear about them.

My reasons for wanting a pekin are I love the breed and I would love to breed some specialised colours (Lavender and red wheaten especially), but my MAIN reason for wanting a rooster is as a pet first, and a flock guardian second. So gentle-natured is a must. I'm thinking this has a lot to do with socialisation when they're young.

I also have two dogs - harmless to the chooks as they've been trained to not show any interest in them at all, as I know that playing very quickly turns to hunting. They are now successfully desensetized to the chooks and they all intermingle quite happily.

If I got a rooster would they have to be separated? Or is that on a case-by-case basis as well? Could the rooster learn to be peaceful among the dogs? I have an area I can restrict them to (still free-range, just the dogs can't get to them).

I know this sits on a lot of variables, but I'd love some input from experienced owners on this!

 

[Ciqala]

I raised two that grew up to be mean. I missed having a roo, I got rid of those two, and I think my girls did too. I went the route of adopting one through a shelter. I told them exactly what I was looking for and that I wanted him at least 3yrs old so I knew what I was getting {disposition wise}. They knew exactly what rooster they had that was perfect, and they had TONS. A little silkie roo, who at the time I thought was the ugliest thing lol. But I wanted a good boy and by god he is the best! It was hard passing by all the big, handsome roosters they had but our little guy is just perfect and the poster child for good roosters.

My advice is to look into ones that are already mature, so you know how he behaves. Also to look into any shelters near you that may have them, my experience adopting a roo was great and couldn't of worked out any better for us.

 

[Boonze]

Hey thanks so much for the quick reply! Yeah I think I will try a shelter, though I'm not sure if there ARE any chicken rescues around (I don't think the normal rescues take roosters). I would prefer a mature one so I know what I'm getting into and I'd like to bypass the hormonal teenage phase, lol.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! The problem with getting an adult, especially from a rescue, is the real possibility of introducing some nasty disease that won't go away. I NEVER bring in outside birds, only chicks from known safe sources. Be careful!!! Mary

 

[Boonze]

I think the risk v. reward is worth it (for me personally) as I only have a very small flock, and I don't breed ' for show ' - so it wouldn't be affecting my future in the hobby (so to speak?). I still love my bantams and I don't want to lose it, but I also don't want to lose an eye to a mean rooster. A breeder might be a better choice as I didn't have much luck finding any rescue roosters around my area (and the ones that were in shelters were listed as 'Rhode Island Reds' [even though they were nothing of the sort!] - which makes me reluctant to adopt them since the rescue knows so little about them).

At least if I head to a breeder I might be able to get a nice rooster that's matured, nice natured, and has the qualities I want if I'm going to put him with other pekins (I don't breed for show, but there's also a huge market for pekins in my area - might as well hit two birds with one stone!).