Not all, but they have that potential.

I have had three roosters, all unplanned. The first was a big Australorp who was really friendly until his harem began to lay eggs and then I had to really watch him. I eventually gave him away to someone who had more than 8 hens to service. Then we had Marshal Dillon, a big beautiful barred rock. He was really friendly and stayed that way. We had to give him away to a farm who needed a rooster because we had our little James Dean, the black, bantam silkie rooster who was there first. Marshal Dillon was supposed to be a hen. James Dean is a great rooster, keeping track of his girls, but not big enough to do any damage to me or the girls. Yet, he knows he is in charge and "growls" occasionally to let everyone know he "da man".

Been very lucky I guess or have some really nice birds. Have a mixed flock and all the free range ones are very good roos. Now the hens you have to watch out for with chicks whole different story. Think every bite or scratch has come from the girls.

ML

We had a really sweet rooster named Arnold(RIP), he would take the best piece of food out of the chicken scraps and place it on Lilo's foot before eating. He was a banti.

Hi Acorn If I'm right I think I remember you posting when Arnold died. He sounded so sweet and it sounded as if you really loved him so much!!!!

I think some breeds are more inclined to be aggressive. There are various ways of preventing problems. There was a great thread about "Keeping roosters sane" about a year ago.

I know that my Rhode Island Red roo (Roo-fasa) Was aggressive towards everyone but me at least once. I used to pick him up and carry him as a chick, because he was the darkest red and the prettiest. My DH always gave him the "shoe leather express" when Roo-fasa got out of line with him.

My Dominuqe, Samson is VERY timid, though he has a couple of hens that have run my dog out of the barn.

I see more fights between the hens and the female ducks than anything else. Those little hens will take on a 12 lb drake in a heartbeat. So it really depends on the breed and the strain, and how much handling the chicken gets.

I read in a poultry magazine that you can cure a nasty roo by putting a dwarf goat in the pen with them. The goat becomes the alpha, so the rooster settles down to second rate status. You have to be careful that the goat doesn't have access to the chicken feed or the nesting area. They tend to butt things.

Its a great excuse to aquire a dwarf goat.!

Kitty

All animals are individuals. Dogs have different personalities, Cats have different personalities, Chickens have different personalities. Even roosters of the same breed have different personalities.

One White Polish Black Crested rooster was a total jerk, aggressive, always attacking people. My current White Polish Black Crested Rooster is the sweetest, tamest chicken I have! Both were hand raised as chicks, and both were spoiled with attention. One turned out very mean, the other turned out super nice.