rooster?

[jefandlis]

we lost our 2 chickens last night. I'll replace with 2 or 3 hens and was thinking a Rooster?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Do you know what got them?

A rooster can be a good alert system, but he won't save them by fending off most predators. A good rooster will alert the hens to run for cover if he sees a hawk overhead, which can help, but won't save in a real attack situation.

Many roosters give their lives to save the flock...they get eaten while the flock flees....many get eaten with the flock...some flee while they let whatever eat the flock.

With only 3 hens, you'd have a small ratio to keep most roosters happy (general rule of thumb is 10 hens to 1 roo, 8 being okay with a milder roo, very gentle roosters can have fewer hens). Typically in very small flocks the hens get over-mated, so the boy will need a bachelor pad. And you have to be sure the neighbors are okay with crowing (or use a crow collar).

Good fencing, strong coops, bird netting and diligence do a better job of protecting a flock for any real danger.