Add a rooster for protection

[Hyliangamer]

I am starting a new flock and have juvenile birds between 7-8 weeks old. They transitioned to their adult coop and have started spending some time outside with netting being used for protection. I live in a rural area with the potential for predators and have seen hawks flying at times. My neighbor has a flock of ducks that she free ranges in her yard but has dogs that are also outside, which she states are a deterrent. Of the birds that I have, one is a cockerel.

I am concerned about increased predation as there is no adult rooster to offer any level of protection. I have seen listings on craigslist for adult roosters in my area but I am unsure if one could be safely added to my flock as they are so young. Would an adult rooster be accepting of juvenile birds that are not sexually mature? I currently have 12 hens, 1 cockerel, and 2 white broad breasted turkeys. I am not opposed to adding a few mature hens if necessary.

 

[IvysAnimals]

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you have to make sure there's enough room, hens, food and other essentials for you chickens. It's best to predator proof the coop and wait till they're older to get another rooster. Getting a rooster now might be dangerous to your little ones. Hope that helps

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[Isadora]

I've had a rooster around his own chicks and juvenile birds and he really didn't pay them a second thought. But it probably depends on the individual bird.
But if you're looking for actual protection a rooster is not the way to go. While there is the heroic story here or there of a rooster getting killed in the line of duty or attacking a predator, usually the best you can hope for in a good boy is one that will alarm call so that all the hens can speed to safety.

 

[ashcons]

Also accept the fact that free-ranging outside of a secure run is almost a guarantee that you will lose birds at some point to predators.

 

[neo71665]

You have a rooster and many thousands of years of nature he will do what he will do. That said he should be the very last line of any protection. Nothing wrong with free range birds but you already know you are opening yourself up to all kinds of problems doing so. You are the number one in protecting your birds and if you want them truly protected that means having a secure environment for them to live in.