Young Cockerel behavior, which one is more docile?

[JD7764]

So I’m a chicken newbie and out of my first batch of 7 chicks I ended up with two cockerels. One is a RIR and the other an EE. I live in a suburban setting with very young children so if I had to keep one I’m trying to decide which one would be more docile. I’ve heard RIR are known to be aggressive roosters but here’s where I’m not sure. It seems like my EE has taken the dominant role between the two of them. He really puts the RIR in his place. But the EE tolerates brings held for much longer periods of time. So I’m wondering if the RIR might actually be more docile or if their rank in the flock doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with their temperament. Thoughts?

 

[sourland]

In my experience, rank in the flock is not related to possible human aggression. Frequently after removing a dominant male, the subordinate exhibits worse behavior. I'd try to keep both as long as is possible for their mature personalities to develop.

 

[3KillerBs]

If these are your first chickens and you have young children it's probably better to have no males at all in your flock.

Not only would a year of ladies only give you an easier learning curve in re: chicken behavior and management, but cockerels raised by mature hens (or, even better, a multi-generational flock with mature hens and a mature rooster), tend to be better-behaved.

The danger with young children is that when a rooster attacks he jumps and leads with his spurs -- right at the height of a child's face and, often, going for the eyes.

This is traumatic at best and can easily result in facial disfigurement or blindness.

No intact male animal can ever be guaranteed to be safe, but after a year of handling chickens in an all-female flock you'll be in a better position to make an informed decision about adding a male.

@Mrs. K is experienced in this area and always gives good advice.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, let both roosters go. Roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of children. Especially if the children will share a back yard with the rooster. Their very natural playing can be upsetting to a rooster.

Often times the darling becomes the nightmare, and inexperienced people often times vastly underestimate how violent the attack can be. If there were just adults - you could take your chances, but with kids, roosters tend to attack children first, then women, and finally men.

If you have experience, you might recognize the aggressive behavior, but maybe not, a lot of people will say the attack came out of nowhere.

Keep just hens until your children are over 6 years of age. You have years to enjoy this hobby.

Mrs K

 

[Mrs. K]

As to the original posters question: Picking the right rooster, it is really impossible. Roosters are a crap shoot, and regardless what people do, it is questionable how they will turn out.

Know that:

• a rooster's behavior today is NOT an indicator of his behavior tomorrow
• flock mate roosters, IMO tend to grow faster, become sexually active sooner and can make the pullets lives hell as they are not ready, this leads to bullying behavior, without older birds to thump manners into them
• while some roosters can be trained, a far greater number cannot
• rooster are opportunist, so they may leave you alone, and feel free to attack others
• roosters need more room than hens
• when you remove a rooster, it can dramatically change how the remaining rooster will act.

Mrs K

 

[JD7764]

I agree, let both roosters go. Roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of children. Especially if the children will share a back yard with the rooster. Their very natural playing can be upsetting to a rooster.

Often times the darling becomes the nightmare, and inexperienced people often times vastly underestimate how violent the attack can be. If there were just adults - you could take your chances, but with kids, roosters tend to attack children first, then women, and finally men.

If you have experience, you might recognize the aggressive behavior, but maybe not, a lot of people will say the attack came out of nowhere.

Keep just hens until your children are over 6 years of age. You have years to enjoy this hobby.

Mrs K

You guys are right! I mean I hadn’t wanted to keep a rooster at all but then got dealt two and was just trying to come up with solutions. I’ve already been posting and asking everywhere to find someone who might want them. What age do you think I definitely need to have them gone by?

As to the original posters question: Picking the right rooster, it is really impossible. Roosters are a crap shoot, and regardless what people do, it is questionable how they will turn out.

Know that:

• a rooster's behavior today is NOT an indicator of his behavior tomorrow
• flock mate roosters, IMO tend to grow faster, become sexually active sooner and can make the pullets lives hell as they are not ready, this leads to bullying behavior, without older birds to thump manners into them
• while some roosters can be trained, a far greater number cannot
• rooster are opportunist, so they may leave you alone, and feel free to attack others
• roosters need more room than hens
• when you remove a rooster, it can dramatically change how the remaining rooster will act.

Mrs K

Thanks for this! By what age do I need to have them relocated to save my hens from any extra stress and keep us from having to deal with any aggression. They’re almost 7 weeks.

 

[kurby22]

Male chickens don’t usually hit their bratty stage until 5-7 months so you have plenty of time.

I will say that dominance in the flock is not always indicative of how they will be with humans. I have a VERY bossy Olandsk Dwarf rooster and he is tough with other birds but a big softie with humans. And then I had a rooster who was not tops and was a total butt to humans.

I agree with the above posters though, if you have young kids, having no rooster is probably better. I currently have 4 roosters and they are all really wonderful around humans, but I had a lavender Orpington that was my baby and very respectful to me but attacked everyone else and was not deterred by typical handling techniques.

I find it more difficult to rehome young (under 12 weeks) roosters than when they are in all their beautiful glory fully feathered. You have time but it is hard not to get attached the longer you have them. Good luck!!

 

[Mrs. K]

I would contact 4-H groups, poultry clubs, or post on craigslist and post at the feed store.

Do not ask questions, you need them gone. When they are someone else's birds, they are their responsibility. Roosters are where as AArt is found of saying, where the romance meets the reality.

Mrs K

 

[3KillerBs]

I would contact 4-H groups, poultry clubs, or post on craigslist and post at the feed store.

Do not ask questions, you need them gone. When they are someone else's birds, they are their responsibility. Roosters are where as AArt is found of saying, where the romance meets the reality.

Mrs K

Yes, this.

And if that fails it is not a bad fate for them to go to the raptor rescue or some such organization as feeder birds because they will have a swift end and serve a useful purpose without being wasted.

 

[chfriedmam]

No intact male animal can ever be guaranteed to be safe

Wait, best quote ever HAHA!

to be fair to male animals (of all types) lots of females also cannot be guaranteed to be safe... Sorry, off topic, point taken.