How do you get a good rooster????

[Kay Brownlee]

I reduced my touch with hens when the roosters are around. This is their job protecting the hens. Funny but their memory is longer than you think. Just petting the hens while they eat did not prove I was being friendly. To the rooster it was an aggressive gesture. My Ameraucana roo that I pick up and walk around with, came after me the other day. Remembering me petting the hens. Took me by surprise. Thank goodness I had boots on when he hit my leg. I have been also taking hens away and adding to the flocks, so he remembers me as a threat to his flock reduction. Try to remove the rooster when you make changes to the hens. Dont let him see you interact much with his flock. An aggressive california white roo, I have a safe entrance into the coup, because I only enter to leave food, and dont touch the hens. I say back back every time I enter.

 

[WallyG74]

Luck of the draw.

 

[McChooky]

I reduced my touch with hens when the roosters are around. This is their job protecting the hens. Funny but their memory is longer than you think. Just petting the hens while they eat did not prove I was being friendly. To the rooster it was an aggressive gesture. My Ameraucana roo that I pick up and walk around with, came after me the other day. Remembering me petting the hens. Took me by surprise. Thank goodness I had boots on when he hit my leg. I have been also taking hens away and adding to the flocks, so he remembers me as a threat to his flock reduction. Try to remove the rooster when you make changes to the hens. Dont let him see you interact much with his flock. An aggressive california white roo, I have a safe entrance into the coup, because I only enter to leave food, and dont touch the hens. I say back back every time I enter.

When I sold my farm many years ago a friend offered to buy the hens .Over a period of days he came and got them all. My rooster never attacked him and patiently waited until every last one was gone and flogged me the following morning.

 

[Granny23]

I reduced my touch with hens when the roosters are around. This is their job protecting the hens. Funny but their memory is longer than you think. Just petting the hens while they eat did not prove I was being friendly. To the rooster it was an aggressive gesture. My Ameraucana roo that I pick up and walk around with, came after me the other day. Remembering me petting the hens. Took me by surprise. Thank goodness I had boots on when he hit my leg. I have been also taking hens away and adding to the flocks, so he remembers me as a threat to his flock reduction. Try to remove the rooster when you make changes to the hens. Dont let him see you interact much with his flock. An aggressive california white roo, I have a safe entrance into the coup, because I only enter to leave food, and dont touch the hens. I say back back every time I enter.

My little guy Pepper is about 15 weeks now. He had never included /accepted the 2 youngest hens I got although he has relaxed a bit as far as going after them all the time. They were 2 weeks old when I got them and are like 8 & 9 weeks now.When they are all out of the coop they are always in pairs never in a group . Do you think he doesn't include them because they run to us when we come outside and hang with us?. If I dont seperate the 2 younger ones when they are enclosed in the coop they come out looking banged up especially their beaks.

 

[McChooky]

Any rooster old enough to breed and aggressive enough to protect the flock is capable of hurting an adult much less a child. There isn't a way to guarantee you'll get a mellow rooster. Roosters and children aren't a good fit. If you find one good with small kids its rare

My little guy Pepper is about 15 weeks now. He had never included /accepted the 2 youngest hens I got although he has relaxed a bit as far as going after them all the time. They were 2 weeks old when I got them and are like 8 & 9 weeks now.When they are all out of the coop they are always in pairs never in a group . Do you think he doesn't include them because they run to us when we come outside and hang with us?. If I dont seperate the 2 younger ones when they are enclosed in the coop they come out looking banged up especially their beaks.

Sounds like the younger 2 may have to stay in a different coop this winter.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

After researching I went with the Silkie breed as I have young children and thought they may be more docile.
I have been pecked once to the point of bruise/blood by one cockerel, but so far no roosters have outright attacked -but if chased or cornered they will jump up and attempt an attack so I just teach the kids not to chase them and never run around them or make sudden movements.
I do not allow full free ranging due to the kids and I'm always very close by if they go into the chicken area.
Unfortunately you don't know if a nice rooster will suddenly attack for some reason so best to just always be aware.

 

[McChooky]

After researching I went with the Silkie breed as I have young children and thought they may be more docile.
I have been pecked once to the point of bruise/blood by one cockerel, but so far no roosters have outright attacked -but if chased or cornered they will jump up and attempt an attack so I just teach the kids not to chase them and never run around them or make sudden movements.
I do not allow full free ranging due to the kids and I'm always very close by if they go into the chicken area.
Unfortunately you don't know if a nice rooster will suddenly attack for some reason so best to just always be aware.

I've always kept my chickens away from visitors and especially kids .My roosters have never attacked anyone using that approach.It works.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

I've always kept my chickens away from visitors and especially kids .My roosters have never attacked anyone using that approach.It works.

Guaranteed that approach would work Everytime! .. but it's nice for the kids to collect the eggs and do some chicken chores so I'm always beside them when they are doing that.

 

[Coops Dad]

Eat the aggressive ones until you get to one that understands the program.

 

[SilkySilkie]

I have had and do own a lot of Roosters.
I've noticed some breeds have nicer/ well mannered roosters. I love all the chicks the same. I don't have time to cuddle chickens so they are treated nicely but with more independence.
I have roosters that just are aggressive from the get go, especially if his hens like me more than him. I grab them, hang them upside down and they get a couple slaps to the head and I drop them. It works for a while. If they attack any kids or I get tired of it I cull them.
My Aggressive Roosters have been: Buff Orpingtons, Black Copper Marans, Ayam Cemani, Pita Pintas, Leghorns, Cream Crested Legbar.
My Best Non-Aggressive Roosters: Bielefelder, Blue Marans, Phoenix, Barnevelder, Large Cochins.
Ones that learned their lesson: Bantam Cochins.

wow if only i saw this before getting a bantam cochin he sucks biggest jerk we live in a urban area and he crows at night and is VERY human aggressive he dominates but i fight back and i am on the verge of making a soup