Friendly Rooster Breeds?

[StephJuno]

Any suggestions for what breed makes for the calmest, friendliest rooster? I have 34 girls and a single rooster right now. I'd like to add another rooster when I order chicks this spring, but I'm nervous. I had a Welsummer rooster that I raised from day one who turned extremely aggressive me at about a year old. (and I was the only one who could get near him) He dominated our other rooster and attacked me until I was bloody. (after months of trying to work with him, he unfortunately had to go)
I'd like to have another rooster, though, but am obviously wary. Our rooster now is a Russian Orloff. Not people-friendly, but not aggressive at all and he's good with the girls. I'd want to make sure that a new rooster would work out with him (and me!). Any breed suggestions? I know temperament can vary, but I want to be as much on the safe-side as possible. Thanks!

 

[Checota]

Well adding an ameraucana rooster or Easter egger rooster or a salmon Faverolle rooster might be a good fit, usually not aggressive.

 

[Checota]

The Easter egger or ameraucana would add some color to the egg basket if you keep any hens out of the breedings

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Hatchery birds are 50/50 if you get a good one or not. Birds from breeders I've never had an aggressive bird.

The easiest way is to find one local that has proven not to be human aggressive. It's likely hatchery stock but also old enough to prove behavior. Craigslist if full of free cock birds.

 

[Checota]

Buying from a breeder is best if you want to make sure genetically....but hatchery or breeder there is no guarantee that a rooster will not turn aggressive. My experience is the friendliest they seem young the more liberties they take when they are mature....but a cockerel that seems to give you space and is slightly wary of humans to be less territorial or less itching to take on such a large rooster as my self LOL .also many of the roosters we have had over the years seem a lot worse the first year and a half, after that hormones seem to level off to a more handleable range. Good luck.

 

[Geckolady]

My Leghorn cockerel came from a breeder, and he has never shown me any hint of aggression. When he's on a perch in the coop, he'll let me pet him. Hopefully he stays that way once he's a grown rooster, but right now, he's a sweetheart.

 

[Amer]

I agree, breeders will cull aggressive birds. My Buckeyes tend to be very gentle. If you choose a large, dual purpose breed, they will be nicer. (Except for certain strains.) Breeders don’t tolerate aggression in the larger birds.

 

[StephJuno]

Hatchery birds are 50/50 if you get a good one or not. Birds from breeders I've never had an aggressive bird.

The easiest way is to find one local that has proven not to be human aggressive. It's likely hatchery stock but also old enough to prove behavior. Craigslist if full of free cock birds.

Oh, good idea!

 

[StephJuno]

Well adding an ameraucana rooster or Easter egger rooster or a salmon Faverolle rooster might be a good fit, usually not aggressive.

I love all those breeds (I have hens of all three). I've definitely thought about a Farverolles rooster.

 

[StephJuno]

Buying from a breeder is best if you want to make sure genetically....but hatchery or breeder there is no guarantee that a rooster will not turn aggressive. My experience is the friendliest they seem young the more liberties they take when they are mature....but a cockerel that seems to give you space and is slightly wary of humans to be less territorial or less itching to take on such a large rooster as my self LOL .also many of the roosters we have had over the years seem a lot worse the first year and a half, after that hormones seem to level off to a more handleable range. Good luck.

Yes, my Orloff was very standoff-ish as a chick and cockerel and the Welsummer was so friendly until he was a year old. Turns out, the Orloff was the best bet.

I was also considering size? I'm not looking to breed, all of my hens are for eggs, but I keep a rooster to protect them. I was thinking of maybe going for a small breed so that he would be easier to handle and would naturally defer to the Orloff. But I'm not sure if that would work or not.