A rooster as protector?

[heybarb]

We are working on building a pen for our chickens to protect them from a hawk since our top rooster and a hen was killed last week. We still have a little bantam Old English Game rooster. He likes to boss the girls around but hides faster than any of the other chickens.

Tractor Supply is having a Chicken Swap this morning and I was thinking about adding a standard size rooster as a protector...Is this a good idea or bad idea?

If I decide to do this, it will be the first time we've "added" a chicken to our backyard flock - currently of 12. Other than keeping him separate for a while, do I need to do anything special?

 

[centrarchid]

Make certain during introduction new rooster does not beat up bantam to much.

If you have option, try to get a game rooster. He will not likely pick on bantam rooster anymore than a regular standard rooster and will be more likely to provide some protection against hawk. Do not forget to provide cover. My roosters are effective against hawks only when latter is on ground. Do not count on reliable protection rooster against any other type of predator.