What do we need to do to have a rooster that wont chase the kids and visitors? We havent had a rooster for a couple of years because our last one kept the kids on the run and he finally was turned into soup. I realize that is part of his job, protecting his girls and all, but is there a breed that is less aggressive. One person told me that maybe it was because ours had come as a day old chick and the kids had handled it and that it lost its fear of people. Does anyone have any ideas. I miss the crow of the rooster, and we wanted to incubate some eggs. I appreciate any help you could give. Thanks!

-- Tami Bowser (windridg@chorus.net), April 05, 2000

Answers

My rooster are very easy going with people and I think its because they are used to being handled.I have Aracaunas and love them.I also just picked up some 9 month old Bramah chickens ,they seem o.k. too.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), April 05, 2000.

We like having banty roosters - an English game breed. I always have plenty of roosters- if you live nearby you can have one! (NE Ohio) We had a Buff Orpington who seemed gentle until he spiked a 5 year old girl out of the blue. Went right for her eyes. Thank God that he only scratched her behind the ear. Our banties seem to leave us alone, and are protective of the hens. We do raise them from chicks. The Buff was given to us as an adult bird. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), April 05, 2000.

I've had the opposite experience with Banty's and game birds .My 7 year old was scared to death of them ,so when we killed them she ate them for dinner . She had a good time with the last laugh !I'm not sure if there is a good breed , maybe there's only good chickens .Whatever you decide good luck .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), April 05, 2000.

I've had rhode island reds for several years and never had a problem with them yet. A friend of mind had a leghorn that always attacked and he ended up on the end of an ax.

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), April 05, 2000.

I have had good luck with Orpingtons and with Barred Rocks. The roosters are, for the most part, gentle. It will vary from rooster to rooster, and breed to breed though.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), April 05, 2000.

The flock we currently have is our first. We have 17 hens and T. Rex, an Australorp rooster. He's never shown any aggression towards me or any company, mostly teenagers and adults, no little children. I've never handled him except under protest-HIS!-and the last time I did, I caught him by the tail coitus interuptus, held him for a few minutes and made him be still. He was not a happy camper and I can seldom get near him anymore. He actually watches me more warily than I watch him (gentleness is one thing, stupidity on my part is another) and I chuckle at his caution of the big bad human.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), April 05, 2000.

I've had Buff Orpingtons and Rhode Islands and they've both been meaner than heck. The attacks stopped after I got in about 3 licks with a broom handle when they were unaware. Real sweet and minded their own business after that.Maybe they have to think you're the meaner rooster. The rooster I have now is half Rhode Island half Araucauna and is real nice. I dont know if its how theyre raised or the breed, good luck though.

-- Julie (juliecapasso@aol.com), April 05, 2000.

Tami, The nicest one we have ever had is a brown leghorn rooster. He is two now and has never attacked anyone. In fact he is so nice that my girlfriend borrowed him for her petting zoo. He used to fly out of her pen, show off in front of the kids and fly back in. We moved so I asked for him back. We have a young (1year old) buff brahama, not been a problem yet but we've had some in the past that got mean after about 18 months.

Kim

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), April 05, 2000.

As far as aggressiveness towards people is concerned, by best conclusion: "Some is, some ain't!" One of our worst was "Darth Vader" a black australorp. Had a white rock that was very aggressive too. I'll also say we have not had a bad araucana. Yet. Most of ours have been rather gentle, probably 9 out of 10. And since I have a spare buff orpington, white rock, & araucana right now (all gentle) you're in luck if you are somewhere near southern Maine. Good luck

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), April 05, 2000.

I think that it depends on the individual rooster and how he is handled or treated, and how many roosters you have. We had 4 very nice black australorps last summer, they were hatched and raised together and avoided their dad, who is quite aggressive. I surmise that the 4 of them kept each other company, and this in addition to the fact that they were pets most of the summer, helped make them nice pets. We gave them away to a friend on a dairy farm who wanted some roosters around the place as pets. But their father isn't as nice, and his father was so nasty and mean that he turned into soup.

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), April 05, 2000.

My vote goes to the Brahmas, most of them have been very gentle for us and we've had them for several years (the breed, that is). "Papa" rooster is now 2 years old and comes running to see what treats we have for him. My advice is to raise as many chicks as you want and weed out the aggressive roosters one by one. Soup is always good!

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), April 05, 2000.

If you are following this thread the votes "for" are Buffs, Banties, Rhode Islands, and Black Astralops, and votes "against" are for Buffs, Banties, Rhode Islands and Black Astralops!!!! I think this is like the cute little ram who turns into a brat! Bottle fed or momma fed they have to wear face masks to keep them around the place! Perhaps we could come up with some kind of blinders for our roosters. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 05, 2000.

I certainly apprecite all the input. I guess its a hit or miss sorta deal. I also would like to put in my bravo for this forum, of course I would expect nothing less than great from Countryside! Thanks alot! Tami

-- Tami Bowser (windridg@chorus.net), April 05, 2000.

Its the pecking order thing, if your rooster thinks he's #1 he will be mean. If you SHOW HIM YOU ARE #1, he will mind his p's & q's. Geese are the same way. Advance on them when they are acting feisty & they will back off (just don't turn your back on them!)Jane

-- Jane Gauch (Sewbears4u@aol.com), April 06, 2000.

I would caution you on one thing. No matter what breed you choose, please be careful with little children around. That Buff that we had that attacked the little girl was gentle to everyone else. I hated to see him go, but for the safety of the children, it was for the best. I think we all need to be careful with roosters. Sometimes it can be a funny experience (like when my son was chased all over the farm by an onery red) and sometimes not so funny. I would not keep an agressive bird - for the safety of any children visiting your place, or your own children. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), April 08, 2000.

I would agree with all that's already been said. Be very careful with roosters and children, as they do seem to go for the eyes, and could put a small child's eyes out. I have heard, and from our experience it seems to be true, that the breeds with "hats", like the Polish, tend to be gentler, perhaps because they can't see as well. But I would still be very careful with small children around.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 11, 2000.