Do hens give predator alarm calls?

[chickens really]

Well my Hens yell an alert too but definitely a Rooster helps in watching over the flock...

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Anything else is not a rooster.

What breed is that?

 

[centrarchid]

What breed is that?

American Gamefowl. I almost always have one free-range around house proper. They are likely the best when you can find when dealing with hawks, but you can have only one in a given area. I am very confident in their ability to prevent losses of juveniles to Coopers Hawks, my biggest challenge to keeping chicks free-range. Foxes and Coyotes the gamecock does not handle are for the most part the realm of the dogs which all the adult chickens point out for the dogs.

 

[SarahGfa]

I don't like gamey roosters or those that are too busy. My main roosters were Orpingtons. I may get another barred rock next year. All my current roosters are under 2 years. All my experienced roosters are gone. I thought I had it all figured out, but one Fox showed me I didn't.

I am curious why you don't like gamey roosters. They are supposed to be the best at protecting the flock. I want to get a game roo to be the next flock master. I hear that anything else is not a real rooster

 

[centrarchid]

I am curious why you don't like gamey roosters. They are supposed to be the best at protecting the flock. I want to get a game roo to be the next flock master. I hear that anything else is not a real rooster

I was being sassy. Game roosters can provide all sorts of headaches in a backyard setting if you are not prepared. Biggest issue is you can have only one running about at a time. Keeping them is not for everyone.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I was being sassy. Game roosters can provide all sorts of headaches in a backyard setting if you are not prepared. Biggest issue is you can have only one running about at a time. Keeping them is not for everyone.

This is why I don't keep them.

 

[centrarchid]

These guys are pretty good and do not have the gameness issue to deal with. Once to bullstag stage they will harass Coopers Hawks coming in after songbirds and juvenile chickens. They are a selection on a hybrid between American Dominiques and American Games where free-range qualities with good growth are kept at expense of gameness. Hens very good broodies and talk to chicks like game hens do. Egg production close to 200 eggs per year in first production season.

 

[Mrs. K]

Not all roosters are the same. Some of a breed are better or worse than others. When I have had a good rooster, I have had considerable success with lack of day time predation. But I have had one or two that did nothing.

The rooster should be the first bird to see you when you come down. He should be a noticing type of fellow.

I have kind of a mix breed mutt right now, but he has been fantastic. I wonder if he doesn't have a little game in him, he has the sleek long look.

Mrs K