What Rooster Breed is Best?

[JOJOW26]

We have decided on Rhode Island Red's to raise for eggs due to the fact that we are in New Mexico and they are both heat and cold hardy birds. We would like to get a rooster, but do not want a Rhode Island Red rooster. Any advice as to what would be the best breed to go with our RIR that will not be overpowering/underpowered and is still heat/cold hardy?

 

[tenman78]

I had a RIR roo I had to rehome because he was over agressive, while mating with the girls and so territorial I had to use a garbage can lid to gather eggs or get spurred. My americauna roo is more easy going, your experience may vary though.

 

[azjustin]

All flocks have a pecking order (and you are a part of it), if the rooster doesn't see you at the top, they will go after you to show dominance.

Our Java roosters were almost as docile as the hens, the RIRs are far more aggressive but definitely manageable.

Our first (LARGE!) RIR rooster charged me and my 3 year old son a couple of times at around 4 months old. He spent a couple of maintenance sessions upside down and/or tucked under my arm, and we have had no problems since. Nothing violent, just scooped him up and made sure everyone knew who the boss is.

After he submitted to the humans, everyone else fell in line and zero incidents since. This includes his two "brothers" that were close to the same size, just not as dominant. In fact, they will eat out of my hand now.

Past that, our limited experience is that a rooster is a rooster and will always try to be at the top of the pecking order. Some are just more aggressive at that task than others.

 

[tenman78]

All flocks have a pecking order (and you are a part of it), if the rooster doesn't see you at the top, they will go after you to show dominance.

Our Java roosters were almost as docile as the hens, the RIRs are far more aggressive but definitely manageable.

Our first (LARGE!) RIR rooster charged me and my 3 year old son a couple of times at around 4 months old. He spent a couple of maintenance sessions upside down and/or tucked under my arm, and we have had no problems since. Nothing violent, just scooped him up and made sure everyone knew who the boss is.

After he submitted to the humans, everyone else fell in line and zero incidents since. This includes his two "brothers" that were close to the same size, just not as dominant. In fact, they will eat out of my hand now.

Past that, our limited experience is that a rooster is a rooster and will always try to be at the top of the pecking order. Some are just more aggressive at that task than others.

Very true. I tried all the tricks,just made mine more violent,sometimes you have to admit defeat.

Didnt help he injured one of the hens so bad mating I had to put her down,I was so mad,he is lucky he didnt end up on the grill!

 

[theFeatherZoo]

All roosters are different and in any breed you can get a abnormal aggressive roo. So far my best rooster breed has been Orpingtons and the worst being Legbar. I've seen that Americanas can be pretty aggressive. I volunteered to clean a rooster's cage at a fair because it was dirty and owner wasn't cleaning it himself. (Probably because he was aggressive) No one wanted the public to see a poop covered cage at a 4h fair. He really scratched me up bad!

 

[TimCline]

Best roo I've ever owned is a RIR. American games are great too if you have only one roo (especially if you free range). Just pick a bigger one. Black jersey giants are also a good choice.

 

[Berrie1985]

Rhode Island reds are amazing roosters but eat heaps a good rooster to breed is a hiliner crossed with a leghorn then breed any rooster chick's from that flock and you will have some amazing hens and roosters.