What are your thoughts on Barred Rock Roosters?

[Kb0507]

Hi ya'll!
We just got a BR rooster. Not sure of his age (maybe 6 months?), but he's a beautiful boy! I just wanted to know anyones thoughts/experiences on the temperament of BR roosters. This is our first rooster, we've only had hens. He is skittish about being picked up, but once you have him, he melts in your arms. We're hoping he doesn't get aggressive.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Some folks have had troubles with the breed, I personally have not. I take a hands off approach and I don't handle my roosters unless there's a need. I don't encourage and forward movement towards me during their first year, and I prefer a wary bird. I basically ignore them and expect them to get out of my way. I haven't had a single aggressive rooster since doing this. When I used to handle them it was hit and miss with aggression.

After my roosters are mature I don't care how they move, but mine are always respectful and keep a respectful distance of 5-10 feet away.

He's a good looking boy. I personally wouldn't be picking him up and petting him. Admire him from afar.

 

[biophiliac]

Agree with Old Hen, but also they are all individuals and sometimes you get one so good that no matter what you do they become great flock bird with a good attitude towards people... In my case it was my Barred Rock Chuy. He was extremely calm (and observant?) from the time I brought them home from the hatchery. Luckily I was able to place him in a great home where his skills were appreciated. I continued to receive good reports of him. Wishing you equal good luck with yours.!

Don't know if there are small children? They should never be unsupervised around any rooster as injuries to eyes and face can occur so quickly and without obvious warning.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

If he is 6 months, just skittish (normal as he is new to you) but melts in your arms once being picked up...he is a keeper.

Continue to show him good leadership (don't coddle him, never allow him to herd you or get grabby with food treats), he should remain a good rooster.

Always watch your back with a rooster. They are flock animals looking to usurp leadership if they sense a vacuum, however, the easy ones are easily dissuaded.

My Barnevelder was sweet tempered from chick hood, remained so in teen years, and is a wonderful rooster. His temperament was clear and has remained so. He only challenged me once (more flutter than attack) which I promptly responded to, and he has never attempted to usurp since.

I have a Cream Legbar rooster who i was hoping to keep for breeding, but his snotty temperament is showing in fine color. He will be soon dispatched.

LofMc

 

[Kb0507]

Some folks have had troubles with the breed, I personally have not. I take a hands off approach and I don't handle my roosters unless there's a need. I don't encourage and forward movement towards me during their first year, and I prefer a wary bird. I basically ignore them and expect them to get out of my way. I haven't had a single aggressive rooster since doing this. When I used to handle them it was hit and miss with aggression.

After my roosters are mature I don't care how they move, but mine are always respectful and keep a respectful distance of 5-10 feet away.

He's a good looking boy. I personally wouldn't be picking him up and petting him. Admire him from afar.

Really? I would have thought the opposite. My girls will be disappointed, since he likes to be cuddled so much and they love doing it, lol.

 

[Kb0507]

Agree with Old Hen, but also they are all individuals and sometimes you get one so good that no matter what you do they become great flock bird with a good attitude towards people... In my case it was my Barred Rock Chuy. He was extremely calm (and observant?) from the time I brought them home from the hatchery. Luckily I was able to place him in a great home where his skills were appreciated. I continued to receive good reports of him. Wishing you equal good luck with yours.!

Don't know if there are small children? They should never be unsupervised around any rooster as injuries to eyes and face can occur so quickly and without obvious warning.

Thank you! My girls are 12 and 10, so not too small. I've been wary about getting a rooster mostly because of that. I've talked to them about how he's not going to be like their hens and they have to be on guard. I'll have to make sure they understand. Hopefully he turns out to be a good addition.

 

[Kb0507]

If he is 6 months, just skittish (normal as he is new to you) but melts in your arms once being picked up...he is a keeper.

Continue to show him good leadership (don't coddle him, never allow him to herd you or get grabby with food treats), he should remain a good rooster.

Always watch your back with a rooster. They are flock animals looking to usurp leadership if they sense a vacuum, however, the easy ones are easily dissuaded.

My Barnevelder was sweet tempered from chick hood, remained so in teen years, and is a wonderful rooster. His temperament was clear and has remained so. He only challenged me once (more flutter than attack) which I promptly responded to, and he has never attempted to usurp since.

I have a Cream Legbar rooster who i was hoping to keep for breeding, but his snotty temperament is showing in fine color. He will be soon dispatched.

LofMc

Thank you so much! I hope he stays a good boy. I had the talk with my girls, that if he gets mean, he will be going away, lol. I can't have them hurt or afraid to go in the coop. I will keep your suggestions in mind when dealing with him and hope for the best....

 

[biophiliac]

So now we've got the roo sorted - tell us about the hens he will be introduced to?

ETA: WOW! I just enlarged your pics - HE IS GORGEOUS! Is he from a breeder??

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Really? I would have thought the opposite. My girls will be disappointed, since he likes to be cuddled so much and they love doing it, lol.

There is a difference of opinion on rooster ownership.

Some believe handling improves the rooster; others believe handling causes problems.

I personally believe that a rooster should be of the temperament that allows you to handle them when you need to treat or take care of them otherwise they are difficult to treat. (Edited to clarify...treat as to medicate or dust, not feed).

I handle them when they are babies and watch their temperaments. I watch until about 10 weeks of age. I can usually tell by then which are on the high defense and which would rather retreat. I cull the defensive ones.

I then begin to temper the other by not over handling other than occasionally taking them off the roost to give them a treat (as in frozen corn) so that I can handle them at will. Those that continue to respond to that and can remain calm I keep. Those that don't I rehome.

I then "own" my yard. My rooster must stay out of my way, must never insist on treats, must never defend against me if I handle a hen. With the selection process above, I thus far have been lucky to have found a really nice stable boy.

I have re-homed and culled a lot until I found the one I wanted.

So for me, I think it is important to handle them when they are young up to a point, but then when they enter puberty, letting them know you "own" the yard. Any guff, I reassess. Taking at will off the roost then rewarding with treat helps reinforce I am "top" for me. Others may fill differently.

LofMc

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

There is a difference of opinion on rooster ownership.

Some believe handling improves the rooster; others believe handling causes problems.

I personally believe that a rooster should be of the temperament that allows you to handle them when you need to treat or take care of them otherwise they are difficult to treat. (Edited to clarify...treat as to medicate or dust, not feed).

I handle them when they are babies and watch their temperaments. I watch until about 10 weeks of age. I can usually tell by then which are on the high defense and which would rather retreat. I cull the defensive ones.

I then begin to temper the other by not over handling other than occasionally taking them off the roost to give them a treat (as in frozen corn) so that I can handle them at will. Those that continue to respond to that and can remain calm I keep. Those that don't I rehome.

I then "own" my yard. My rooster must stay out of my way, must never insist on treats, must never defend against me if I handle a hen. With the selection process above, I thus far have been lucky to have found a really nice stable boy.

I have re-homed and culled a lot until I found the one I wanted.

So for me, I think it is important to handle them when they are young up to a point, but then when they enter puberty, letting them know you "own" the yard. Any guff, I reassess. Taking at will off the roost then rewarding with treat helps reinforce I am "top" for me. Others may fill differently.

LofMc

I handle none except to move them or look at them when young, and when older I catch them as needed.

I see zero human aggression. None. I have raised many different breeds and all are the same as far as their interactions with me. I am than free to judge them on other qualities.