Which of these roos should I keep?

[stephhassler]

To begin with, I should tell you I had a rooster last summer (don't know the breed, he was given to me). He ended up in my in-law's freezer because he was mean and evil. He kept attacking me, finally drew blood and that's when I'd had it with him. I was afraid to go near the girls because of him.

So, that being said, I have several cockerels this summer and would like to keep one. The only reason I want to keep one is for protection of the hens. However, I want a nice roo, one that will not attack me or my children. The ones that will not be kept, I'd like to process and eat.

What I have so far are: (1) 3 EE's; (2) one mottled houdan; (3) one barred rock; (4) one silver campine; (5) five or six polish - white crested, silver laced, buff, sultan, black.

They are all beautiful birds and I'd hate to eat any of them. However, I don't want that many roos plus not enough room in the coop for everyone this winter. So, out of that list, which will be the most protective, but nice to me? And which will be the best eating, or on the other hand, which would not be fit to eat?
Thanks much!

 

[Hotwings]

I am sorry I can't give you much advice as I only had experience with a barred rock (of the ones you have listed) Some roos are great protectors and some aren't. There are certain breeds that are ornery and others more docile. I have seen people here with roos that are great but others have had dificultly in. Barred Rocks get pretty big. For protection it would seem to rule out polish as I think their head feathers would hinder watching for predators. I can't advise on the others you have listed as I have had no experience with them. Barred Rocks can be great protectors. I guess in like dogs every roo can be different. My bf Freebie has a homegrown mixed roo right now and he is very docile to people and he is a great one in breaking up fights between hens. He even shared his coop with a bantam roo and never bothered him, in fact the bantam roo was twice as mean as her full size roo. Chase her roo is a black australorp/barred rock mix.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

The only ones that would be "worth" eating would probably be the EE and the Barred Rock. The others are tall and thin breeds without much meat. Personally, I would go by personality. Which one is the best with the hens?

Also, if you want a roo for protecting the hens, you probably don't want to pick the sweetest one of the bunch. One that is more reserved, but not mean, would be good. Also, the tophatters can't normally see aerial predators as well. Maybe keep on tophat and one other?

As for me, I would pick one or two of the ones with the best personality, then sell the rest. They just don't have enough meat!

 

[stephhassler]

You both make good points about the top-hats - duh, why didn't I think of that. They have so many feathers on their heads they would never see a predator coming. Sheesh, I feel stupid.

 

[TK Poultry]

id say EE they are my sweetest breed at the moment closely followed by my BR then my new hamp then my ameraucanas but id say EE or BR but idk wat a polish would be like they might be a lil more laid back being a a showier bird

 

[lilbirdee]

I agree that you'll have to watch the personality of each. My best roo is an EE. He's great with the ladies. They follow him everywhere. If one of them squawks he runs over to check things out. He's very alert and always seems to be on duty. And he's not aggressive towards humans.