Which breed of rooster is the more docile: Silver Laced Wyandotte or Lavender Orpington

[Sally PB]

Mine had a butt head stage when his hormones kicked in at about 6 months. He mellowed out, & loved the attention at a year old.

Maybe there's hope that we can be friends in the future. Until then, he's doing his job, and I respect that. I'm doing mine, and he better respect that too. He's been pretty good since our last "discussion."

They don't have to like me. But they have to respect me.

I agree 100% that a lot of it is in the genetics.

^^Yup!

 

[IQL]

So far my Columbian Wyandotte rooster has been very nice to both humans and my hens. Come spring will be a full year I have had him, so I know there's not much to say as his behavior can still change (or so I have read).

The possible change in temperament is what I have read too. Good luck and thank you.

 

[IQL]

My silver laced Wyandotte rooster was very considerate and friendly all the while watchful and protective of his flock.

At almost 4 weeks old he already herded his siblings up the ramp and back into the coop in the evenings, called them to the food and waterer and watched over them.

One of the best roosters I owned.

Thank you.

 

[IQL]

I think it depends on where you get your Wyandotte. Good quality Wyandottes are more docile because they're not just bred to make money. Serious breeders don't keep mean roosters around. All of my hatchery quality Wyandottes have been aggressive, while my breeding quality Wyandottes are very docile and get along great with the other birds. I would go with the Orpington since the majority (even hatchery quality) tend to be friendly.
Get your rooster from a breeder though! Don't get one from a feed store or from Craigslist.

Thank you. Yes, I learned my lesson very early on to not buy from non-breeders!

 

[IQL]

Oh dear, I have to be an exception here. I got three straight run Buff Orps from TSC last spring that turned out to be all boys. I had to cull two of them at four months when they became unholy terrors to me and the three pullets. It got so bad, the girls wouldn't leave the coop. One of them bit me, hard, clamping down and twisting his beak. It left a nice bruise.

The third one is good to the girls. I have had to have a few "discussions" about me being the boss though. I plan to keep him, but he isn't the sweetheart that people say Orps are. Maybe he'll grow a little sweeter with age. He's still a cockerel.

Thank you. I wonder if that was due to having 3 roosters of the same age together? I hope the remaining rooster continues to behave!

 

[IQL]

We have an Orpington roo and I love him. He’s not that old yet but by far is so gentle and hasn’t shown any signs of aggression. We will be keeping him for the long run.

Thank you.

 

[IQL]

I have heard this as well.

Thank you.

 

[IQL]

I had three buff O roosters and one lavender O rooster. Only one of the Buff O boys was a sweetheart. The other two BO's were onery as they could be and would fly feet first at your face if you bent over around them. The Lavender O tried to rush me until he encountered the side of my foot one day and said hello to the fence. After that he stayed clear of me which is the behavior I expect from a rooster with an attitude.

They don't have to like me. But they have to respect me.

I agree 100% that a lot of it is in the genetics.

Thank you.

 

[Sally PB]

Thank you. I wonder if that was due to having 3 roosters of the same age together?

Very possibly. Also, since they were from TSC, the were hatchery quality anyway. I had visions of wherever TSC got them pumping out Buff Orpingtions like a puppy mill pumps out whatever breed is most popular at the time.

But three boys and three girls was not a good set up to begin with. I'm never buying straight run again!

I want to add, if you have the opportunity to buy a bird from a breeder, you would probably get a better quality bird. Aggression can be a trait that is passed on, and a reputable breeder would not want to do that. Good luck!

 

[Artichoke Lover]

Oh dear, I have to be an exception here. I got three straight run Buff Orps from TSC last spring that turned out to be all boys. I had to cull two of them at four months when they became unholy terrors to me and the three pullets. It got so bad, the girls wouldn't leave the coop. One of them bit me, hard, clamping down and twisting his beak. It left a nice bruise.

The third one is good to the girls. I have had to have a few "discussions" about me being the boss though. I plan to keep him, but he isn't the sweetheart that people say Orps are. Maybe he'll grow a little sweeter with age. He's still a cockerel.

4 months is a teenager in chicken years so to speak. They tend to mellow later after the hormones settle.