I researched chickens long before I had any idea I’d one day catapult myself into a rural life. I even made vision boards of my imaginary life on a farm. I had never touched a chicken prior to getting my first. I watched videos and read every article I could to learn about them.
One thing I was very certain of, I NEVER wanted a rooster. Most information I read was negative about them. They’re mean, aggressive, can hurt you, can hurt your hens and tear their backs up and attack unprovoked. All these things can be true but they are far from the rule.
A young farmer helped me buy my first chickens at a flea market. He knew little about chickens, he was an organic vegetable guy. He knew of a few egg production breeds and wanted the honor of buying my first chicken. I bought five total that morning. My first one was this beautiful “blue” pullet (female chicken under 1 year old). I was instantly in love with her feathered legs and feminine coloring. As we left the market an old farmer commented on my young girls saying: That’s a fine blue cockerel you have there.
Silly old man. Obviously, he was clueless about Francesca. She was the belle of my ball. Until a few months later when it was extremely clear, even to my novice eyes, I had a rooster, Francois, and he was mean as hell. He flogged me many times. If you’ve never been flogged by a rooster – it sounds funny but literally hurts to the bone. I couldn’t take my eyes off him or he would attack me. He was a beautiful jerk and I was a rookie in way over my head.
It got to the point where I actually took my Le Creuset roaster outside and showed it to him, threatening him with it. He came after me and I stayed in the house until PM feeding. From then on I carried a broom with me everywhere to keep him away.
You can’t rehome a mean rooster without full disclosure and you know they are going to freezer camp if you do. I was distraught over him for months and it’s not OK to be afraid of your animals. He was a loving rooster to his girls but a liability for me. I couldn’t have kids over with that asshole around.
What I’ve learned since is certain breeds are more likely to have aggressive natures. From the start I was scared of my flea market chickens and horrified of the word “rooster” so he didn’t have a chance from the start.
Males, even of the gentle breeds, go through hormonal changes (so do girls, btw) that can be trying. I’ve had countless roosters since then and only two didn’t calm down and settle in. All of them are a bit irritating to the girls until they learn finesse.
All of my Lemon Chiffon Brahma roosters and Marans roosters have been dreamboats. Even the ones I pay little attention to are respectful when handled.
Francois taught me roosters serve an important role. Mine have been excellent providers – letting girls eat first, great fathers and guardians. I would never recommend having too many males of any species to a newbie but I highly recommend having a beautiful boy for your girls. I can’t imagine life without my handsome Henri. I hug his big self daily and he allows it to happen then shakes it off like I’ve offended his sensitive ego.
I’ll write more about roosters and other male animals at some point but the biggest thing I’ve taken away from all this is while you can make some generalizations animals are as individual as humans. Had I listened to the loudest voices (roosters are mean! Males turkeys are mean! Never keep an intact male goat!) I wouldn’t have gotten my fabulously loving and entertaining boys.
Here are a few reasons I love roosters: