It does depend on breed also as well as knowing how to behave around them. A breed to miss for cockerels is indeed the maran cockerels, I've had a really bad experience with them. when i read up on them on google ( from reliable sources) it said that maran cockerels are naturally more aggressive than other breeds. The one i had hid in a tree and when i walked under it he pounced and dug his spurs into me back. I finally managed to catch him and cut em off, he was quite quiet when I was cutting his spurs off, he never flinched. I did have to go in the garden armed with a broom though when he was around. I used to have a welsummer and a light Sussex cockerel, both were gentlemen and treated their hens well. It really depends on the breeds and handling, like with any animal.