Hey there Chicken lover! I am sure you want to be sure as to how much of good pets roosters are. I have designed this article in such a way that you will get all the information you need to know about roosters and if they make a good pet for you. Because the perception you have about roosters is that, they are very naughty, aggressive, and stubborn, therefore you can doubt the fact that roosters can make a nice pet.
Oh! Yes. Roosters make awesome pets but this is dependent on their breed and how they were raised. Don’t get discouraged and stick to this article to find out the best roosters good as pets.
2 Major Reasons Why Some Roosters Are Not Good As Pets?
Actually, just like human beings can have various characteristics and attitudes due to genetics and upbringing. it is the same in the animal world. Some breed of Roosters are amazing sets of chickens and they can make, while some are not either because they were not trained properly or because of their breed. There are several reasons why some roosters are not good pets. Let’s take a look at some vital points that could make your rooster not good as a pet.
Reason 1: When roosters grow amongst hens, they become authoritative and aggressive.
Roosters that grow up among hens have a high tendency of becoming aggressive and stubborn. Naturally, Roosters have this authoritative and protective personality, they see it as their duty to protect the hens from threats and predators including you. So this can make them arrogant, they can even attack you, thinking you are a threat. Research has proven that roosters that are isolated from hens are usually very friendly and intelligent. You might want to try this with your chicks, don’t wait for them to mature.
Please note, however, that roosters prefer the company of hens, so if you want to keep one as a personal pet you will need to let him have his free time with his lady hens. Since you raised him from a chick and he has never been around hens before then he will learn what you teach him easier.
Reason 2: When you don’t tame them as chicks they tend to become aggressive.
It is advisable to raise your roosters from chicks in other to prevent unnecessary stubbornness. You can’t afford to have a stubborn rooster as a pet because trust me you are going to sell it off in a hurry. One of the problems chicken lovers make is going straight to the market to purchase any rooster as a pet, afterward they begin to encounter a series of challenges. Please please and please it’s advisable that you explain to the poultry farmer the kind of rooster you want and also be specific. Tell the poultry farmer that you need a rooster for a pet, not for recreation.
10 Best Breed of Roosters for Pets
1. Brahma
This rooster is a beautiful and large popularly known as “king of chickens”. Wow, you can imagine how large it is to be called that. They actually stand over two feet tall.
It looks so intimidating and little children run from lt, because of the size. Considering these descriptions you might think it’s very aggressive and stubborn but amazingly Brahma roosters are quite docile and gentle. I will gladly recommend him as a pet for you. Brahma might take time to mature because of the size but trust me, it’s worth your time as the benefits it has, are awesome. Starting from protecting the hens from predators to attracting.
2. Barbu D’Uccle
This is another awesome breed of a rooster that can serve as your pets. In mating seasons he really doesn’t like being picked up or carried around esp in the presence of the ladies. This is quite similar to most roosters. So whenever I notice that he is sexually proactive I become careful with it. Barbu D’Uccle has attitude a little but that makes him unique and smart. I like it he watches the hens eat and protects them from threats.
3. Langshan
This is one of the most gentle, quiet and uncommon poultry you can find as a pet. Roosters these Roosters are known for their unique heights, they stand 24-32 inches high, even though they only weigh around 9lbs.
The German Langshan chicken is developed from the exported Croad Langshan in Germany. Because of its exceptional height, it is usually used for shows and concerts. Just like Brahman rooster it also takes time to mature.
4. Welsummer
These are awesome birds, known for its calm and gentle nature. Just like most roosters it loved to protect the ladies and ensure that they are well-fed, some roosters might struggle feeds with the hens but welsummer will calmly watch them eat. He is not aggressive to human beings as well, Sometimes he even prefers to pick its food from your hands. If you need a good alarm raiser as a pet, this is a good recommendation. They are so intelligent that they react to abnormal situations, It can also crow repeatedly for hours and is not tired.
5. Faverolles
These are French breed rooters. very friendly, large and vibrant roosters. They are usually on the lookout for danger and are very curious too. Their concern mostly is to protect the ladies from danger, i believe they are naturally created like that. Therefore this makes him highly sensitive. Physically they look like ladies so he really does stand out quite elegantly in his plumage. I love Faverolles chickens, as they are so unique in nature. Its hen is very layers, they can lay at least four eggs a week.
6. Buff Orpington
Buff Orpington is another breed of large chickens, friendly, calm and patient. They are one of the best chickens you can use as a pet. Because of their looks, you might think they are aggressive but it’s not true, they are quite timid and nice. They even enjoy it when you carry them around. It is also known as the “Golden Retriever” of chickens. They make good outdoor pets for schools, clubs, and families. Children enjoy playing with them as well. They make great flock guardians and attentive to their ladies to keep a watchful eye on them in other to quickly raise an alarm if they perceive danger.
7. Plymouth Rock
This rooster is beautiful that just looking at it you would want to take it home. Aside from their impressive looks, they are calm and dependable. The roosters are very protective of their flock and usually smart they to give you any trouble.
They have great camouflage and they look gorgeous in their black and white barred plumage.
They also make a great backyard pet.
8. Polish
Here comes another large and awesome breed of rooster. This one is very respectful and timid, it’s ready to learn from you, so you see, you won’t have a problem with this one. Polish roosters are very respectful to their female folks, guarding and protecting them in their little way, they are not really vibrant.
Naturally, they are known as very quiet and calm birds, imagine raising them from chicks they may become your best friends while looking out for the flock too. They are not good alarm raiser, so you really should not rely on them to keep predators at bay.
You have to either trim the head feathers because it has lots of feathers which sometimes covers the eyes. This bird might look funny to you but for me, I think it’s just unique and special.
9. Delaware
This rooster is not so popular, but it’s a very lovely bird. Rare to find but so adorable when found. It is the bird for you and your family. The roosters look quite imperious in their white feathers with a sprinkling of black on the neck and tails. They can be very gentle, calm and quiet but when they get frightened or sense danger they might become aggressive. So you have to be quite careful not to scare them. Delawares are good with the girls, being ever watchful and alert for danger, raising the alarm and shepherding the flock to safety.
10. Cochin
Cochin rooster is a large size with an awesome nature that will make you get them quickly as pets. They are so calm and gentle that they can be comfortable with them as pets than back yard chickens. It doesn’t really make great guardian stock, so if you want a rooster that will guard your flock, you can check above and choose something a bit more assertive than a Cochin. But If you want a rooster than can be picked up by you or your kids, then this rooster maybe that pet for you.
How To Tame Your Aggressive Roosters to Become Pets.
The big question is do you want to have a pet chicken or do you want to use your aggressive rooster as dinner out of anger and impatience. I guess your answer is the first, so let’s look at how your aggressive rooster can become a good boy and also serve as your pet. The points I am about to show you are very practical and workable.
- You must know that Roosters want you to understand them (they love it when you can act like a rooster too).
If you want your tame your rooster to become your pet you must understand that Rooster loves it when you can act like him. Actually, I mean you should relate friendly to your rooster, don’t always be harsh towards your roosters, this will make them dislike you and hereby become aggressive towards you. Yep, that’s true, it might sound funny but that’s what your rooster wants otherwise they will keep seeing you as a treat.
- Offer them their favorite treat in your hand
this is one of the best ways to make them friendly, they might relent at first because they think you are being deceptive but continue trying until you win their trust. Winning their trust won’t be difficult when you starve them for some time, hunger will make them accept your offer.
- Carry them around in front of their Ladies
Roosters are very proud in nature, they boast around the hens as a superior creature, sometimes they even try to attack you in the presence of the ladies to prove that they are more powerful than you. Therefore when you capture them, carry them around and make sure the hens see them, when you do this regularly they tend to become embarrassed and gentle towards you.
- Spend time with your roosters
This is very crucial and important, it might not be easy on your part but for the sake of making them docile and friendly pets, you have to be patient and create time to spend with them. This helps them to become used to your presence and they will hardly peck or attack you. Now you can nurture them appropriately and teach them the right act you want them to learn. spend time with them, talk to them, and make them your friends, it’s just a matter of time you will have a friendly rooster as your pet.
- Respect their authoritative nature but still make them know that you are the books
You are not dragging leadership of your flock with anybody not to talk of your roosters. Naturally, they have a protective trait of protecting their hens and defending themselves from their predators. So do not see this as a major challenge, you have to respect this fact then prove to him that you are the books. One way you can do this is by not showing them that you are scared of them. I know a Poultry farmer that runs from his roosters whenever they get aggressive, Lol, this is very wrong. When they try to attack you, stand firm Eve if you are scared, when they keep trying and you resist, then they will surrender to you as books. Relate nicely to them and ensure your flock understands that you are their main food source. If you don’t provide for them and allow them forages for food, they essentially have to fend for themselves. This makes them look down on you and disregard your role as their leader.
Characteristics of a Good Rooster for Pets.
- They must be friendly
- They must be teachable. When your roosters are ready to learn from you, wow that’s awesome because it means you can train it to become the way you want.
- They must be respectful to you and the environment. When they don’t respect you, they will always want to attack you.
- They must be protective of their hens. A good rooster will always want to protect their ladies.
- They must be gentle and calm. Some are actually not calm but they make awesome pets but when you get a calm and gentle bird, it is the best option for you as a pet.
Take note of these characteristics, when you find them in your rooster, then you know you’ve found the perfect one for pets.
Benefits of Keeping Roosters as Pets
One of the major reason most chicken lovers might have about keeping roosters is the fact that they don’t lay eggs, so they tend to ask themselves, ” what will I even gain if I keep a rooster as a pet rather than a Gen, that lays lots of eggs”. Another reason might be that they are very noisy and disturbing. In a short while, I will answer your question with valid points to help enlighten you on the benefits and importance of keeping a rooster as pets.
- They protect your hens from their predators
The roosters naturally are fearlessly and protective to the flock especially the hens. They protect their ladies from any form of danger from their predators including you. When they feel you are becoming a treat to them or the ladies, they introduce the pecking order against you. Most times you might not be available to protect your chickens from danger but as long as you have a rooster around, trust me your hens are in capable hands, they will fight and protect your chickens.
- They mate with the hens to fertile Eggs to increase your flocks
Hens lay thousands of eggs but without a rooster, multiplication of chickens will not be possible. You must understand the awesome role of a rooster on your farm. you might have a small backyard flock without a rooster, your hens will produce eggs but the challenge is that If you don’t have a father bird (rooster), the eggs won’t be fertile, and that is fine. The eggs are perfectly good for all your cooking needs but you can not have more flocks.
- They help control pests and Garbage Management in the house.
It is no news that roosters like tomatoes, worms, and other garden pests, as well as kitchen scraps. So they can help assist you with your garbages and the pests in your garden. I know you will want to feed your chickens commercial feeds or pellets to make sure they get the necessary calcium and nutrients, but sometimes they enjoy kitchen scraps and peelings more that those commercial feeds. Roosters will help save you the stress of disposing your kitchen waste and hereby control pests in your house.
- Their colorful nature creates Aesthetics
Roosters are naturally more colorful and beautiful than hens, this makes them more attractive. So you want to attract buyers in your poultry, it won’t be a problem at all because your elegant, smart, and attractive roosters will attract them with ease.
Their colors anyways are Dependent on their breed, roosters can have different colors and but they all have a bright red comb, eye ring, ear lobes, and wattles. I really like boldness, They move around the farm proudly as if they actually own the place, this also attracts attention to them.
- They can be very Entertaining
Roosters are very fun to be with, they have lots of amazing attributes that could entertain you. Have you watched a rooster trying to mate a hen before? Or have you watched them scavenge for food? Have you also watched two roosters fighting, sometimes it could be because of food or the hens? If you have witnessed any of these then you will understand what I mean. Roosters are very smart and intelligent chickens. Yes some of them are not people-friendly but the friendly ones like I have listed above. Another thing that amazes me is when they attack because you try to pick up the hens.
This article like I said, in the beginning, is designed to help change your perception about roosters. Just like every other animal, they can be aggressive and stubborn but the good news is that the aggressive ones can be tamed. You can as well find options of breeds of roosters you can use as your pet with their amazing characteristics. Most of the things I have shared in these articles are the things that really helped me very well, now I enjoy my pet roosters, though it wasn’t easy anyways, especially taming the aggressive ones to become friendly. so I would advise you to adhere strictly to the information embedded in this article if you want to have an awesome rooster as pets.