Good for Nothin Rooster!

[junebuggena]

I guess Ive heard people in different forums talk about their roosters being protective and they are definitely known to be aggressive toward humans (I've personally seen videos) and then there's the whole cock fighting thing, so why do they save their aggression for when it really matters?

Roosters typically become aggressive towards humans when they've been raised with too much familiarity. The cockerel starts to exert his dominance, and the human reacts in a way that just fuels their testosterone addled brains.
Cock fighting roosters are a completely different thing. They've been bred to be extremely territorial towards other male birds. This does not always translate to aggression towards potential predators.
Cochins have a reputation of being incredibly placid.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

As noted by other posters... even a large fowl cock may only be a sacrifice instead of your hen and no TRUE protection.

My boys call warning calls all the time. The hens rarely listen because of so many times crying wolf.

No, most roosters WON'T fight to the death with others. Each is an individual. I keep a stag pen. Have had up to 14 cockerels in there, though now one rooster and 4 cockerels. They get along for the most part with some scuffles. But most know their place in the order of things. My head rooster a Marans (known fighting breed) allows new boys into the pen. And even breaks up fights sometimes. That's why he is still here. He has only looked at me cross eyed once, where i gave him a little chase and no issues.

My first "rooster" experience though, I was so thrilled with the handsome fellow who wanted to hang out on my lap! Until hormones kicked in and he tried to grab a hen off of my lap. Then one day I felt something brush the back of leg. And turned around to see him standing there all innocent like and thought I must be hallucinating. Then another day I felt something brush the back of my leg, but I'm no fool and gave him a little chase. It got to where he would attack when my back was turned, charge me at the fence, and stock me but pretend to do busy work when I looked his way. It continued for a while because this was my Swedish Flower breeder boy of choice. I was after all ALMOST in love with him. I am not afraid of roosters (or dogs) and in no way did I present myself as weaker. After months of him crowing AT ME obsessively when he saw me, I had enough. I thought we were building trust early on that he would know I wouldn't harm him and that I wasn't a threat. It kind of worked out that way, as he certainly was not afraid of me. Off to freezer camp he went and I swear that was the best Ditto noodle soup I ever had. The saying "the meaner the roo the sweeter the stew" totally held true for me. My only regret was not doing it sooner. I almost couldn't stand to hear my other boys crow without taking it personal for a good month or so afterwards, which is part of the joy of owning boys. I never coddled another boy and never had that problem again YET. I'm happy to say that I am indeed back to enjoying my boys. And the really good ones that dance for the ladies and call them to treats plus take no for answer sometimes are especially handsome and favored.

But one factor is... what age are you calling a rooster? Their protective hormones don't kick in until a certain age.

How old are your ladies? And how do you know it was your cat? I never consider cats a threat to full sized hens, but chicks is a different story. Just because it isn't common though doesn't mean it isn't possible.

Glad you didn't lose any birds!

On roost when I go in for treatments or whatever, the boys very often try to duck and hide. It's dark and they don't know it's me. I could be any predator, it didn't matter they are cowards, also known as CHICKEN. Besides a rooster will never be a match for most of the predators we have here, even IF they try. But they would get credit for trying and I have seen some who have successfully fought of predators for others. My boys are kept for breeding, not protection.. since as noted many aren't good at it anyways.

Hope he still becomes a nice bird for you and your flock.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you read a lot of the posts on here you get the idea that any rooster will give his life to protect his flock. You have now met reality. You are talking about animal behaviors. Each is an individual, some will fight to protect their flock, at least from some predators. It happens. But I’ve had two dog attacks, lost 13 chickens total. The rooster was unscathed both times. I found a hawk eating a hen earlier this year, the rooster was in the coop with the other chickens. He was bigger than the hawk too.

Roosters often make a good early warning system, but so will some dominant hens, especially if you don’t have a truly dominant rooster in the flock. I don’t know how old yours is, it sounds like he could easily be a cockerel and not a fully mature rooster. Probably doesn’t make any difference. My mature roosters usually lead the hens to safety once a threat is discovered, not put himself between them and the danger.

One benefit to a rooster is that if they see something they are suspicious of a good one will put himself between the flock and the potential danger, like when I carry a camera down there. They go check it out. In that way they can be the sacrifice. But a sacrifice does not happen often and it’s not by choice.

I think you are right, if the rooster or a hen had attacked him that cat would have probably run away. Most of the time cats don’t bother grown chickens but some of that depends on the size of the cat and the size of the chickens. Were the ones that were hurt bantams?

The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. Anything else is just personal preference. There are plenty of people on this forum that free range a flock of nothing but hens and are perfectly happy. Others would not have a flock without a rooster. Personal preference.

 

[theoldchick]

My boss hen is better at keeping an eye on the sky/ground/trees for predators.


When she goes on alert everybody goes on alert.

 

[lazy gardener]

But one factor is... what age are you calling a rooster? Their protective hormones don't kick in until a certain age.

How old are your ladies? And how do you know it was your cat? I never consider cats a threat to full sized hens, but chicks is a different story. Just because it isn't common though doesn't mean it isn't possible.

Good posts by ES4L. Good observations. If he's less than a year old, he's still a cockerel, and has not earned his roo badge yet.

As for roos fighting each other: it's variable. I have a 4 year old roo, and a cockerel who are both sharing a harem of 28 ladies.

 

[chickens really]

Are you sure it was the Cat?..My Rooster totally protects his Hens and their Chicks too..My Husband got me a new pail and it's orange ..The last time I carried an orange pail my Rooster flogged it...My new pail will strictly be for Ducks. Lol..He won't attack my dogs but sure gets mad at the squirrel that hops through the trees...

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Okay.

First of all, I suppose an adorable fluffy chicken that looks like a stuffed animal is capable of fighting off dinosaurs and tigers, but I'd have to witness this for myself to believe it.

Second, roosters can be challenging, even on a good day. But they're lovely, charming creatures, and it's true: they're excellent warning systems.

And third, some do protect the flock. The coyote that grabbed Henry had a choice of six chickens. They were all clumped together foraging. I didn't see it happen, but it's pretty clear my boy threw himself at the coyote on behalf of his hens, and he almost died for his heroism.

But I'm learning roosters are often just as scared as the others, and although they may crow and mad cluck for all they're worth when a threat is nearby, they're probably more likely to run for cover, or just stand there bewildered, just like everyone else.

 

[chickens really]

Yes...I had a polish Rooster that chased after the Fox with my Maremma Dog right behind him..Fox would of took the Rooster if the Dog was not there...Cockerels are just that, too young and need experience to earn their stripes...

 

[ChickenGirl555]

wow I really misunderstood then... maybe I got the wrong idea because they will fight each other to death over pecking order and are known to get aggressive towards humans which I've heard was fairly common. So why not a measly cat..? the hens sure make plenty of alarming noises when threats are around especially my Barred Rock, she's like a bull dyke of the chicken world, those girls don't need no man with her around. Her first day of introduction to the flock she made herself known as top of the pecking order, including with the rooster. She jumped in the air and kicked him sideways when he tried to dominate her, it was hilarious.. Anyway..

A rooster will fight other roosters so they can have power over the flock. At most roosters would warn the hens to get to safety or hide, or they sometimes run the coop. Hens can be equally aggressive towards humans. Ever seen a broody mama protecting her eggs?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

But I'm learning roosters are often just as scared as the others,

Yes, some dogs (I know we are talking about roosters) will bite out of fear and not aggression.

What people see as aggressive behavior, growling and lip snarling.. is very often the dog saying "hey your in my space and it's making me uncomfortable, now back up off my Kool-aid, before my very clear warning turns into a nasty bite".

Also, cockerels sparring is no different than any other juvenile animal who needs to practice play fighting in order to develop their skills and confidence. Some is OK, knowing where to draw the line is good.