Flock protection

[Athiena14]

So my rooster was killed yesterday leaving the flock roosterless. I have 18 5 and 4 week old chicks. 1/2 are related to each other and the adult hens but 2 roosters from the other half are not. These 2 are a copper meran mix and a white leg horn. Hoping you guys could help me out of one of these will help protect or run off like a chicken... (sorry had to.)

 

[azygous]

So sorry about your rooster. I can sympathize as I just had an attack on my flock this week, too.

No one can tell you if the remaining roosters will take over as flock protector. Chickens have their own rules and chain of command, and they aren't telling us what it is or what they plan to do to restore flock balance.

Meanwhile, it'll be up to you to be the protector. Keep a close eye on things since the flock order will be in flux with the loss of the head roo.

 

[aart]

Sorry for your loss.
How old was he?
How/where/when(time of day) was he killed?

Those baby cockerels are not going to protect for a long time...if ever.
Keep all your birds safe in a secure coop and run.

I have hawks here.
This works:

This does not:

 

[Athiena14]

He was less than a year.

 

[Athiena14]

Sorry for your loss.
How old was he?
How/where/when(time of day) was he killed?

Those baby cockerels are not going to protect for a long time...if ever.
Keep all your birds safe in a secure coop and run.

I have hawks here.
This works:

This does not:

It was also around 4:30 p.m. it was a canine due to footprints around it also Guild one of my ducks but only broke the neck. I think the rooster attacked the canine and ended up becoming the Canines Dinner

 

[DobieLover]

It was also around 4:30 p.m. it was a canine due to footprints around it also Guild one of my ducks but only broke the neck. I think the rooster attacked the canine and ended up becoming the Canines Dinner

Sorry for your loss.
Did the canine break into the run or was the flock out?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So my rooster was killed yesterday leaving the flock roosterless. I have 18 5 and 4 week old chicks. 1/2 are related to each other and the adult hens but 2 roosters from the other half are not. These 2 are a copper meran mix and a white leg horn. Hoping you guys could help me out of one of these will help protect or run off like a chicken... (sorry had to.)View attachment 1681828

I'm sorry to hear about your loss
Can you explain what you expect from a rooster are far as "protection"?

Do you have a secure coop/run that you can keep your flock in?

 

[Mrs. K]

As for you question, leave the cockerels with the flock. The matriarchs of the flock will help to school them in the correct behavior for chicken society. What I would do, is keep a strict eye on the pullet chicks that you have coming up. The cockerels may get too rough with them. At that time, you might need to pull the cockerels from the flock for a while, and let the pullets grow up a bit.

Raising a rooster takes time, and as stated above, they really need to be nearly a year old. Another idea is to ask at the feed store, or your local poultry club, or county extension group. Often times people will have an extra rooster that is so nice, it has not been culled. These have usually been raised in a multi-generational flock. They tend to be very good roosters, and one knows by then how they will most likely act.

The best way to get a good rooster is a sharp knife, and anything that is not is invited to supper. Roosters are one place where you should not let your emotions guide your decisions. As AArt says, roosters are where romance meets reality.

Mrs K