To keep him or not....advice?

[bhawk-23]

So we hatched 12 chicks and 7 (or 8 possibly) are roosters. I have not gotten attached to any....until now. They will all be culled on Jan 18th, but I'm hesitating on one. I am in need of advice, or maybe some sense talked into me....
-He has been very docile. He will approach me, take food gently and allow me to pick him up and hold him while eating from my hand. This is NOT the case with any of the other cockerels.
-He is good with the pullets and as he ages even hangs out with the older gals who seem to tolerate him more than the other obnoxious cockerels. The other boys are more aggressive and still bully the pullets.
-He much prefers hanging with the hens than sparring with the hoodlums.
-IF he gets challenged he ends it quickly, not overly aggressive, and walks away calmly.
Being new to chickens I am only assuming that these would be some personality traits you would watch out for if you are wanting a rooster. Am I correct?

Our situation:
-We live in an urban area that allows roosters.
-We will have 9-10 hens for him alone.
-Our yard has a complete 6ft privacy fence with gaps filled. We also have a net across most of our yard. We are not looking for a defender but early warning of hawks would be a nice benefit.
-We are not interested in breeding.
-Our town currently houses many flocks with roosters and the University said they've not had chicken clients ever say anything about having upset neighbors or needing to re-home due to complaints. I called them lol

Our neighbors currently enjoy hearing our hens but we have not had a rooster crowing. We are friends so I feel comfortable asking them how they feel about us keeping one. I also am aware I have to be prepared for them to say no, or even worse, change their minds after we've had him for a bit.

Can anyone offer their wisdom or experience? Or possibly talk some sense into me??
Thanks!!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

How old is he? What breed?

 

[sylviethecochin]

He sounds like a good boy.

Now, I have found that the friendlier cockerels tend to be more likely to attack humans later (I think they think of you as a safe target, since you won't hurt them), but if he's as good as you say, I would be willing to take that chance. Sounds like you have a pretty good situation for him.

 

[Alaskan]

He sounds like a good boy.

Now, I have found that the friendlier cockerels tend to be more likely to attack humans later (I think they think of you as a safe target, since you won't hurt them), but if he's as good as you say, I would be willing to take that chance. Sounds like you have a pretty good situation for him.

X2

 

[HappyClucker7]

He seems like a really good, sweet little boy. I would keep him.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Sounds like you have already made up your mind and really thought the decision through. I say, keep him!

 

[bhawk-23]

How old is he? What breed?

11.5 weeks old and barnyard mix. He is big and orange!

@sylviethecochin
That does make sense. My dog is great with the hens, the baby chicks after a proper introduction and even will watch the cockerels spar but not get excited. I do believe he would kill that rooster though if he thought I was in danger.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

He sounds like a good boy.

Now, I have found that the friendlier cockerels tend to be more likely to attack humans later (I think they think of you as a safe target, since you won't hurt them), but if he's as good as you say, I would be willing to take that chance. Sounds like you have a pretty good situation for him.

I agree with this and have experienced this first hand on more than one occasion. The opposite also apllies here. My meanest cockerels (biters) turned into the best and most gentle. You just never know with cockerels. It sounds like he is a nice guy, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to give him a chance, just be prepared if he changes.

 

[bhawk-23]

I agree with this and have experienced this first hand on more than one occasion. The opposite also apllies here. My meanest cockerels (biters) turned into the best and most gentle. You just never know with cockerels. It sounds like he is a nice guy, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to give him a chance, just be prepared if he changes.

So how often do roosters attack? I see the YouTube videos of roosters attacking and people laughing (which I do not find funny personally) but I guess I had figured they were being teased for the most part because someone was filming and laughing. I do understand it can and does happen, but is it a lot more common than I thought?

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Sounds like you have already made up your mind and really thought the decision through. I say, keep him!

I agree!

So how often do roosters attack? I see the YouTube videos of roosters attacking and people laughing (which I do not find funny personally) but I guess I had figured they were being teased for the most part because someone was filming and laughing. I do understand it can and does happen, but is it a lot more common than I thought?

I've personally never had an aggressive guy, but I don't usually keep them long enough to give them a chance to be mean. He sounds like an amazing guy, and I see no cons of keeping him unless he becomes aggressive, in which case, he might make good soup! I vote keep him.