Tamest rooster breed?

[LallowBritches]

I’m thinking of buying some new roosters, last time I bought some they became aggressive, what is the tamest breed? Is it because I have hens and should I separate the hens from the roosters

 

[kattabelly]

Birds are individuals and while you might be able to make some sweeping generalisations about specific breeds *often* being *more likely* to be a certain way *in some people's experience*, it isn't possible to accurately predict what a specific bird will be like.

Rather than breeds, you could try looking at specific lines of a breed you're interested in. If a breeder has a cock that's extremely tame and tends to produce sons with very similar temperaments, one of those birds might be a good choice for you - though you still can't say for sure how they'll turn out.

It probably also depends a lot on your definition of "tame" and your understanding and expectations of rooster behaviour.

 

[SourRoses]

English Orpingtons.

Also, I find keeping one rooster (with the flock) is a calmer scenario. He doesn't have to compete, so he's more likely to focus on wooing the ladies and watching for predators, than trying to prove himself the fiercest.

 

[Yardmom]

What is your purpose for getting roosters? How many hens do you have?
Most often when someone is talking about separating the roosters from the hens it is because they hatched or bought straight run chicks and now have to many roosters compared to the hens.

I am not aware of rooster aggression being altered one way or the other by separating them from the hens. A large part of rooster aggression is nature. A smaller part is nurture. The nurture aspect can be related to if they view humans as dominant or not.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I would suggest getting an older rooster as opposed to a cockerel. Something over a year old with a known good temperament. I have had good results doing this. My boys aren’t friendly by a long shot but they give me a wide berth and they do their jobs. One is a Naked Neck mix and the other is a Leghorn.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I’m thinking of buying some new roosters, last time I bought some they became aggressive, what is the tamest breed? Is it because I have hens and should I separate the hens from the roosters

You say "some" new roosters, how many do you think you need, and why? Did your roosters becime aggressive to you, to one another or to the hens? Is it possible you don't need "some" roosters, but maybe only "one" rooster?

You need to understand rooster behavior. If there are multiple roosters in a confined area, they will fight because each one wants to be in charge of all the hens. Sometimes they will fight to the death.

How many hens do you have? How much room do they have? Are they kept confined, or do they free range? If the roosters can run away from each other you may be able to get away with having more than one.

Why do you even need a rooster, or any roosters? Do you hatch chicks from your eggs? If not, you may not even need a rooster at all. The only reason anyone needs a rooster is to fertilize eggs. Although young roosters, cockerels, do make good eating.

 

[LallowBritches]

What is your purpose for getting roosters? How many hens do you have?
Most often when someone is talking about separating the roosters from the hens it is because they hatched or bought straight run chicks and now have to many roosters compared to the hens.

I am not aware of rooster aggression being altered one way or the other by separating them from the hens. A large part of rooster aggression is nature. A smaller part is nurture. The nurture aspect can be related to if they view humans as dominant or not.

I like to have roosters as pets, and potentially help fertilize eggs

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Roosters typically do not make good pets, your previous experience showed you that. They are not wired to bond with humans but to be breeders and protectors of their flock. I highly recommend you read this article by Shadrach, one of our experts on roosters:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056

 

[McChooky]

I would suggest getting an older rooster

I prefer one my hens have raised.Are they any better? Probably not lol