The training of the roo....How to raise a friendly rooster

I think everyone has a mean rooster story or two to tell. It seems that some roosters can be downright evil. Others though can be real sweethearts. Unfortunately, roosters are one of those animals that you only really get 1 chance to raise them right. Luckily, it's pretty easy to train a rooster to be nice if you start early. 

If raised wrong, you can end up with a cranky, mean, vengeful beast...but if done right, you can end up with a powder puff! Rooster training is best started young, like 1 day old if you can! 

Usually that's not so terribly tough since most of us have a hard time keeping our hands off the chicks anyway! It's important to handle him daily. It doesn't have to be the same person, several people can get in on it. Even the kids.

Actually, the more people that chip in and help train the rooster the better! That way the rooster is used to lots of different people, to just one favorite person.

How to train a rooster to be nice

It's easy to spend time with chicks, but once they move out of the brooder it can be a bit harder. Coops are busy places with lots of other birds and things to do. It's much more fun for the little cockerel and he probably won't be as eager to hang out with people. This is where I don't give them a choice! 

Romeo is our newest cockerel. He is a small breed, but it's still important that he is brought up with lots of human interaction, after all sometimes those small breeds have the most attitude!

My method is simple. Every morning I pick him up off the roost before he has a chance to jump down. I carry him over to the feed shed to get the feed and some treats. I carry him back and set him down to go about his day.

A few extra treats here and there can go a long way towards winning him over to your side! Make sure to talk to him nicely and say his name as you feed him. Of course as he gets older he may call the girls over as soon as you give him extra treats, and that's normal. 

During the day I spend time with him if I can, but sometimes I can't get around to it till bedtime. When I go to close them up for the night I pick him up off the roost again and pet and talk to him a bit. As with the hens the more attention you give them, the more they seem to like human interaction. 

The more you can visit with him and give him attention, the better results you should get. This type of attention also helps when Adding a full grown Rooster to your Flock.

My blue Marans rooster comes over and starts muttering to me any time he sees me by the feed shed. He knows I'll give him treats that he can call the girls for. Pretty sure he uses me for treats, but he's a friendly boy so I let it go! lol

Now I can't guarantee this will work on every rooster, after all they are individuals....but a good dose of daily human interaction is a great place to start.

Related reading: How to raise friendly chickens that beg for attention.

~L 

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I am not a veterinarian or other animal care professional nor do I claim to be. I am simply passing on information that has worked for me and my flock. This information is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Please see a vet if your chicken is ill. Click for my full disclaimer.