When do roosters turn into… you know

[Tattoodmama]

Honestly idk what the language regulation is.. what age do roosters turn into a holes? I have a 14/15 week RIR rooster who is the best guy. He’s great with me and my toddlers. Has his a hole-ness just not kicked on? I know RIRs are known for being territorial but he’s been so good to us! And I’m wondering if we got lucky or his temperament can change.

 

[MrsEarthern]

I don't know the specifics on RIRs, but I've had five roosters and none of them were a holes, and one was only ever aggressive towards people in red cars after the bug guy kicked him and sprayed him with a pesticide.

 

[nuthatched]

Keep hom away from you and your kids. Typically around 15-20 weeks, but not all roosters are mean, most are not.

 

[Mrs. K]

He is in the darling stage, appearing to be friendly, curious and brave. Thing is cockerels are not like puppies or kittens. If you are kind and play with those pets they become life long friends.

In chicken society, each bird is either above or below all the other birds. Fear is a sign of respect.

If you currently have only flock mate chicks, without older birds, this cockerel has never met anything bigger than him, accept you, and you and your children pet him and treat him nice. So often times he has no fear or respect which would seem like a good thing, but often times is not.

Inexperienced people often do not pick up on the signals that he is becoming aggressive and this forum is filled with posts where the darling became the nightmare in an instant. They tend to attack children first, then woman and finally men. They have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people. Toddlers can take the attack in the face. Most inexperienced people vastly underestimate how violent it can be.

Maybe you got a wonderful rooster, but be very aware, and have a plan B for if he doesn’t work out. Once they are aggressive they really never go back.

In the next few weeks you will notice a change. But the big rule is with cockerels is how they are acting today is not an indicator of how they will act next week, next month, or even next year.
Mrs K

 

[Chickie YumYum]

I don't know the specifics on RIRs, but I've had five roosters and none of them were a holes, and one was only ever aggressive towards people in red cars after the bug guy kicked him and sprayed him with a pesticide.

I don't blame them and he should have never even thought about it!

 

[MrsEarthern]

I don't blame them and he should have never even thought about it!

The guy was fired, and that rooster passed away a couple months later. I ended up with four out of six birds being roos after him, and still have two. One is currently raising chicks with his harem, and he has no issues with me getting into the run or coop, scooping up chicks, etc.