To get a Rooster or not get a Rooster?

[Mahonri]

Quote:
You always want to quarantine a bird for a while to make certain they are healthy and that they won't spread anything to your hens. Check his legs, vent, under his wings etc.. .for mites and lice., be certain to deworm him. Then once you are sure he his healthy put him with the hens.

There is usually a fight at the start. The head hen will take him on. Once he puts her into submission, the other girls will fall in line.

I really like my current roos.

 

[redstars]

Are any breeds less agressive than others? Or is it kinda luck of the draw?

 

[redstars]

Quote:
You always want to quarantine a bird for a while to make certain they are healthy and that they won't spread anything to your hens. Check his legs, vent, under his wings etc.. .for mites and lice., be certain to deworm him. Then once you are sure he his healthy put him with the hens.

There is usually a fight at the start. The head hen will take him on. Once he puts her into submission, the other girls will fall in line.

I really like my current roos.

Mahonri, Thanks for the pics. I really like the one on the top he is cool looking.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

It's usually all in the luck. Other people claim that there are certain breeds to stay away from, but all have the potential to be good. There are gentle breeds out there who carry less of a chance of aggressiveness, and then there are...others....How I'd start is: Look at some pictures, make a list of what looks pretty or interesting, and then do some research, like, what is the breed like? How common is it? Am I able to get my hands on it? From a breeder or hatchery? Do I want a young bird or an adult? All things to consider.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
In my limited experience that's the key right there. I don't handle Thor any more than necessary for routine care. He's always been a tad bit afraid of me, simply because I don't handle him or allow him in my space. He's a great roo with no aggression. His "brother" that I handled alot was quite a bit more aggressive.

 

[M To The Maxx]

No cons to me. Get a roo!!!

 

[Mahonri]

I had a white crested polish that was VERY agressive and attacked me more than once.... I could never turn my back on him or he'd go for me.

My Geoffry is afraid of me... (I think the kids have scared him), but he is gentle with the hens... and gets the job done and he hardly makes any noise and I LOVE that.

 

[redstars]

Quote:
In my limited experience that's the key right there. I don't handle Thor any more than necessary for routine care. He's always been a tad bit afraid of me, simply because I don't handle him or allow him in my space. He's a great roo with no aggression. His "brother" that I handled alot was quite a bit more aggressive.

Thanks Gritsar
I would have made the mistake of handling more thinking it would make him less agressive. But it makes sence when you think about it.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
In my limited experience that's the key right there. I don't handle Thor any more than necessary for routine care. He's always been a tad bit afraid of me, simply because I don't handle him or allow him in my space. He's a great roo with no aggression. His "brother" that I handled alot was quite a bit more aggressive.

Sometimes it's still a toss up. My first set of chicks got handled a moderate amount, but as they grew up I let them keep to themselves. One roo turned out unreasonably mean by the time they were 16ish weeks I knew he was a goner. His "twin" brother is still protecting my flock today!!
My current youngsters are hitting about that age. I haven't handled them much at all. They come up to me for treats though. One black sexlink is a peacemaker and kind, his "twin" brother is mean and comes at me! Raised the same way, and similar genetics, but it's a toss up.

PERHAPS in my limited experience, the dominant roo doesn't feel the need to challenge me, but the 2nd in command roo thinks he can get ahead so he takes it up trying to get ahead of me? I know typically the dominant hen is less mean than the ones in the middle-ranks because she doesn't have to constantly prove herself. These two particular BSL cockerels are pretty closely matched, the mean one puffs up and tries to challenge the nice one VERY OFTEN, but they don't actually get into knock-down-drag-outs.

 

[seminolewind]

I have hugged, kissed, and coddled my 4 roos and they were never aggressive. I think it depends on their genetics. If you get an aggressive rooster, rehome it and get another.
Today I went to the Central Florida swap and ended up carrying someone's roo around for an hour. We had some cheetos, some hotdog bun. He kept looking at me. I kept hugging him. Then he started crowing-in my arms, LOL. And kept giving me this "hey this is pretty good" look. My friend's son bought him and walked around with him and when the boy said crow-he crowed!!!!! On command! Also made those little hen noises if you did it first. What a cutie.