Hawk killers? Liege Fighter?

[centrarchid]

Thank you for stating the obvious lol

You are not motivating any further effort

 

[Shadrach]

Knowing how a hawk comes in after prey, I doubt many roosters have the capability to take one out but I have seen claims of it by owners of this specific breed. Just hard to know if the rooster you choose will actually do it because each rooster has it's own personality and agenda.

I got big breed chickens so they're harder to carry off, but its been quite the experience having them because they need certain accommodations.

Strangely the saying 'it's not the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog' seems to be applicable to chickens. Size often doesn't amount to a win.
The only chickens here that I actually know of that have backed down a hawk have been hens with chicks. If it were possible a broody hen with chicks would be my choice in a fight with any predator.

 

[centrarchid]

I have had broody game hens and harem masters both back Coopers Hawks down. I have even observed game chicks about 3 weeks old take on an American Kestrel that was already on the ground.

 

[ColtHandorf]

I have no experience with the breed the OP is asking about, but I can say with absolute fact that years ago a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned, I forget now which species it was, went after one of my Salmon Faverolle hens and her brood of chicks. I walked outside to see the Faverolle rooster relentlessly flogging the hawk around the pen. It was only partially covered and the hawk would fly up into the wire top and then fall back for the rooster to get another few licks in. If I hadn't intervened I have no doubt he would have finished the hawk off.

 

[getaclue]

As a general rule of thumb, raptors are not going to land, and spar with a rooster. They swoop down suddenly, grab, and lift. If a rooster sees them in time, it may be able to fend off the attack. My daughter had a RIR that actually killed a hawk that was after his hens, but that's not the common scenario. Here, they will grab dogs, cats, birds, etc. Some will land, if they feel safe in doing so, kill, and eat their prey right there, but there has to be a clear escape route.

 

[Joyofchickens1]

I have no experience with the breed the OP is asking about, but I can say with absolute fact that years ago a Cooper's or Sharp-shinned, I forget now which species it was, went after one of my Salmon Faverolle hens and her brood of chicks. I walked outside to see the Faverolle rooster relentlessly flogging the hawk around the pen. It was only partially covered and the hawk would fly up into the wire top and then fall back for the rooster to get another few licks in. If I hadn't intervened I have no doubt he would have finished the hawk off.

That is awesome to know!!! Thank you!!! Next spring the battle will be on with the hawks! We have decoy crows all around now, and a crow feeder. I have seen them scare off 2 hawks so far... They can eat some eggs, in exchange for protecting my chickens any-day!!! We had game chickens when I was a teen... They were all over the place... MY dad said the lead rooster would kill off all his offspring as soon as they became a threat... I have roosters grow up together, that established a pecking order and lived in harmony. I wonder (wishful thinking ) if it’s possible with a game rooster? I doubt it, but don’t really know for sure.... I was thinking about raising the Liege up separately and then letting the Liege run with the hens for a couple months in the spring, and putting my breeding roos up... But now I want the breed/type you are talking about lol!!!

 

[Joyofchickens1]

I have had broody game hens and harem masters both back Coopers Hawks down. I have even observed game chicks about 3 weeks old take on an American Kestrel that was already on the ground.

Very interesting!

 

[Elsveta641]

I have Liege Fighters and seen the rooster charge and attempt to grab a swooping hawk out of the air. Most hawks are too fast for any rooster to catch it. But I have zero doubt that if a hen was putting up a fight and the hawk thus distracted enough to not fly away, the Liege rooster would have a good chance at killing it. I happened across this thread in search of Liege hatching eggs because I lost my rooster last night. He had fought and killed a possum, been swarmed by a gnat infestation and sick with a respiratory bug all in one week. He had survived many things that would take out most roosters. He was intelligent enough to be taught commands like a dog and knew "go away" "drop it" and would come when called by name. He was 31 inches tall and 14lbs at his death.

 

[Joyofchickens1]

I have Liege Fighters and seen the rooster charge and attempt to grab a swooping hawk out of the air. Most hawks are too fast for any rooster to catch it. But I have zero doubt that if a hen was putting up a fight and the hawk thus distracted enough to not fly away, the Liege rooster would have a good chance at killing it. I happened across this thread in search of Liege hatching eggs because I lost my rooster last night. He had fought and killed a possum, been swarmed by a gnat infestation and sick with a respiratory bug all in one week. He had survived many things that would take out most roosters. He was intelligent enough to be taught commands like a dog and knew "go away" "drop it" and would come when called by name. He was 31 inches tall and 14lbs at his death.

Such a beauty! Sorry for your loss! A lady I bought hatching eggs from has them for purchase on eBay. I had an excellent hatch rate.

 

[MissLavender]

I don't know about Liege Fighters, but it IS feasible for a rooster to kill a hawk under the right circumstances. Back in the day, my Mema had a gamecock that she called Sam in the run with her flock of hens (said they were the best protectors). She called him Sam, I called him Satan...lol. Meanest rooster I've ever met, but he was really good with the hens. One day a hawk got into the run but couldn't get back out, and Sam (AKA: Satan) the gamecock flogged that hawk to death.