The Moonshiner's Leghorns

[Amer]

Yeah mean roosters like that are mighty tasty. lol It must be something with bantams (aka banie chickens where I'm from) because they seem extra prone to aggression. The roosters think they are 10 feet tall and bulletproof.

It's because aggression is tolerated in bantams because they are harmless (ouch, not those sharp ones) but aggressive LF are culled

Something probably ate him. That's what happened to my first OEGB bantams. I learned the hard way they are extra easy pickings for all kinds of predators, and they don't do well free-ranging.

The thing is we also might have sold him, or he got died or something. Maybe he got eaten but I am not around much so I can't remember what happens to every bird around the farm.

 

[KF0002]

His personality was actually why I got him for free. He was very good quality for a Dominique bantam but the breeder said he didn't have the right personality to be caged or something. She was right.

Attitude and personality are definitely important. I try not to breed aggressive roosters because the genetics for aggression are very heavily passed on to offspring I have found.

 

[Amer]

The problem is interchickenally aggressive hens is very necessary for the upright d'Anvers stance and I think that's linked to agressive roosters. So I think aggression is in their DNA. But a rare few aren't aggressive. My quails are only mildly aggressive and attack gently. My cockerel hasn't attacked me at all.

 

[KF0002]

It's because aggression is tolerated in bantams because they are harmless (ouch, not those sharp ones) but aggressive LF are culled

You're probably right, aggression isn't culled as hard in bantams probably like it is in larger birds. So it keeps being perpetuated.

 

[KF0002]

The problem is interchickenally aggressive hens is very necessary for the upright d'Anvers stance and I think that's linked to agressive roosters. So I think aggression is in their DNA. But a rare few aren't aggressive. My quails are only mildly aggressive and attack gently. My cockerel hasn't attacked me at all.

I had a pair of Quail Antwerp bantams around the same time I had the D'uccles and the rooster was sweet as he could be. But all of the D'uccle roosters were jerks. I really liked the Quail Antwerps. They were gentle and didn't seem bothered by being handled. Genetics and good breeding play a huge role in the attitude of chickens. I can't remember where I got the Quails, but the D'Uccles were hatchery birds.

 

[Amer]

I had a pair of Quail Antwerp bantams around the same time I had the D'uccles and the rooster was sweet as he could be. But all of the D'uccle roosters were jerks. I really liked the Quail Antwerps. They were gentle and didn't seem bothered by being handled. Genetics and good breeding play a huge role in the attitude of chickens. I can't remember where I got the Quails, but the D'Uccles were hatchery birds.

I had hatchery d'Uccles once. The roosters were aggressive. D'Uccles are why I got d'Anvers in the first place. I didn't like the feathered feet.

 

[The Moonshiner]

MF D'Uccles were probably my first favorite breed. I liked plenty of different chicken breeds and had had a few but when I saw them I had to have them.
That was the breed that got me into serious breeding and showing etc etc. I don't ever remember mine being aggressive but that was so long ago.
Back when we just had a big mixed flock several were bantams and I do remember some of the guys having the little man syndrome.

 

[KF0002]

MF D'Uccles were probably my first favorite breed. I liked plenty of different chicken breeds and had had a few but when I saw them I had to have them.
That was the breed that got me into serious breeding and showing etc etc. I don't ever remember mine being aggressive but that was so long ago.
Back when we just had a big mixed flock several were bantams and I do remember some of the guys having the little man syndrome.

I really liked them too, and the hens made great moms. I had 3 hens that all sat on the same nest and all 3 co-parented like 17 chicks. It was the cutest thing. If the roosters weren't so hateful, I probably would have been more willing to keep them.

 

[KF0002]

I had hatchery d'Uccles once. The roosters were aggressive. D'Uccles are why I got d'Anvers in the first place. I didn't like the feathered feet.

I am over the feather-legged breeds also. With all the mud we have in Kentucky a lot of the year, feathered legs/feet are just messy. Marans are only "lightly feathered," but I prefer a clean-legged bird.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I am over the feather-legged breeds also. With all the mud we have in Kentucky a lot of the year, feathered legs/feet are just messy. Marans are only "lightly feathered," but I prefer a clean-legged bird.

I never really got the complaining about feathered legs thing. After yesterday I'm thinking a nice featherless breed may be the way to go.
Last year mud was bad. This year it's already here. Having chickens I could quickly dunk and swirl in a bucket of water and have them come out looking like a new penny sounds pretty good.