Favorite Breed of Rooster?

[hollandhens24]

Hello, I have a small mixed flock of hens: australorps, WTB, silkie, welsummer, and a WTB rooster. I chose a WTB rooster for the fun factor of producing colored laying offspring while not compromising on egg production. I live in rural Idaho where my birds free range, so this rooster seemed like a great addition. However, my rooster has just hit 1 year and I cannot dissuade his human aggression. He only tries to attack when your back is turned and today he nearly got me. I wouldn't mind the aggression as long as it was to anything but humans because I would feel he was doing his job, but frankly he's terrorizing me more than any predator and I am just too pregnant to deal with him. I have whacked him with a rake when coming after me, my husband got him with a rock while he tried to get me once, and I trapped him and held him once in an attempt to show dominance and discourage him. All that to say... it's time for him to either live somewhere that someone doesn't care or to find his way into my stew pot. My WTB hen who I got in the same order with him is a family favorite. She is clever, funny, and friendly... and quite spicy because she goes after my dog (a 20 lb doodle) who thinks that her chasing him is the best thing ever and begs her to chase him several times a day. She has never shown any aggression towards humans and is quite a love. I hatched WTB chicks from this cross and have 3 pullets and a roo... would keeping the roo as a replacement have a similar outcome due to his aggressive father?

All this to say, I am in search of another rooster and would love to know your favorite breeds and tips to help raise a rooster who likes to keep a respectful distance from humans. I am looking for a gentleman who is known to be a good protector and gentle with his ladies.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Being human aggressive is a deal breaker. He'd go in the freezer. I've always had a hands off approach to raising roosters. They keep their distance, and don't see me as competition, or a threat. The only aggressive rooster I've had was handled a lot.

It's important to also be confident. Roosters sometimes feed off fearful body language.

My favorite rooster breed is bantam cochins. I've also had really great buff Orpington roosters, and barnevelder roosters are always good. I've had mixed outcomes with Wyandotte. They can be rough on hens, same with barred rocks.

I think pick the breed you like, and try again. It may help to get multiple so you can pick one that's the best overall for your flock.

 

[Noraaaaa]

@oldhenlikesdogs had great info! I LOVE silkie and wyandotte roos!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

My best and favorite rooster was my German New Hampshire. I would handle him a lot and every evening when I had to close up the coop, I would spend an extra few minutes talking to him and rubbing his chest.

 

[hollandhens24]

Being human aggressive is a deal breaker. He'd go in the freezer. I've always had a hands off approach to raising roosters. They keep their distance, and don't see me as competition, or a threat. The only aggressive rooster I've had was handled a lot.

It's important to also be confident. Roosters sometimes feed off fearful body language.

My favorite rooster breed is bantam cochins. I've also had really great buff Orpington roosters, and barnevelder roosters are always good. I've had mixed outcomes with Wyandotte. They can be rough on hens, same with barred rocks.

I think pick the breed you like, and try again. It may help to get multiple so you can pick one that's the best overall for your flock.

I have been contemplating the Orpington route, but am curious if he could potentially be too large for my silkie. Thoughts on standard size roos on bantam hens? Giving multiple fellas a go might be a good option to see who works and who doesn't!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have been contemplating the Orpington route, but am curious if he could potentially be too large for my silkie. Thoughts on standard size roos on bantam hens? Giving multiple fellas a go might be a good option to see who works and who doesn't!

I personally am uncomfortable watching a full size rooster mate a bantam. I had a chocolate Orpington rooster who always favored my bantam hens. Currently I only have bantam roosters as I got tired of seeing the bigger roosters over mating and causing feather loss. It does depend on what you want to breed for. I prefer bantams so I'm okay. If you are looking for egg production or meat than they may not be the best way to go.

 

[hollandhens24]

I personally am uncomfortable watching a full size rooster mate a bantam. I had a chocolate Orpington rooster who always favored my bantam hens. Currently I only have bantam roosters as I got tired of seeing the bigger roosters over mating and causing feather loss. It does depend on what you want to breed for. I prefer bantams so I'm okay. If you are looking for egg production or meat than they may not be the best way to go.

I appreciate your insight! I definitely feel that he singles out the only silkie (she’s the queen bee of the hens, but runs from the rooster) so I might end up taking this approach!

 

[MGG]

I've had some really nice mixed boys, and I have an olive egger rooster right now that's been great. Other than that my several Brahmas have been great, my English Orpington, and I have a New Hampshire red cockerel and brown leghorn cockerel right now that are super nice so far. It definitely has a lot to do on how they're raised.

 

[hollandhens24]

I've had some really nice mixed boys, and I have an olive egger rooster right now that's been great. Other than that my several Brahmas have been great, my English Orpington, and I have a New Hampshire red cockerel and brown leghorn cockerel right now that are super nice so far. It definitely has a lot to do on how they're raised.

I hear mixed reviews on whether they should be raised handled or left alone. I do not personally handle my chicks much. All of my hens are friendly and could be caught and handled if needed, despite not being handled as chicks. The rooster was raised the same way. Which method do you like for making mannered roosters?

 

[MGG]

I hear mixed reviews on whether they should be raised handled or left alone. I do not personally handle my chicks much. All of my hens are friendly and could be caught and handled if needed, despite not being handled as chicks. The rooster was raised the same way. Which method do you like for making mannered roosters?

Being raised by a broody in the flock is the best, but if you're brooding artificially, just staying hands off with the boys usually works pretty well. If they act up or get pushy when I'm around while they're little, I'll give them a little flick on the head like a hen would peck. I like to try to integrate early on too, and being around the adults growing up helps teach manners.
Its always hard because my male chicks are frequently the friendliest and I just want to cuddle them.