Hawk Warning

[fmernyer]

A coworker of my husband's suggested getting a Bantam rooster when my husband told him about the loss of one of our birds to a hawk.

I'm curious (can't wait till Monday) why he would suggest that? Is it because the Bantams are smaller and are less likely to beat up my girls? Or some other reason?

I'm not even sure of the ordinances in our town - (I'm gonna guess no roosters) - but I wondered why a Bantam, specifically.

I'm getting used to the idea that they'd have to be penned more often than not - but I'm hoping I could let them out periodically to free range - partake of healthy, yummy bugs, and maybe eat up some ticks....would a rooster help with that or would it be almost as dangerous anyhow?

Just curious.

Thanks!!

 

[countrygirl74]

A coworker of my husband's suggested getting a Bantam rooster when my husband told him about the loss of one of our birds to a hawk.

I'm curious (can't wait till Monday) why he would suggest that? Is it because the Bantams are smaller and are less likely to beat up my girls? Or some other reason?

I'm not even sure of the ordinances in our town - (I'm gonna guess no roosters) - but I wondered why a Bantam, specifically.

I'm getting used to the idea that they'd have to be penned more often than not - but I'm hoping I could let them out periodically to free range - partake of healthy, yummy bugs, and maybe eat up some ticks....would a rooster help with that or would it be almost as dangerous anyhow?

Just curious.

Thanks!!

I'm not entirely sure why he would suggest a bantam but I must tell you that my big EE rooster seems oblivious to what's flying around and my silkie roo sounds the warning call at every little sparrow. I wonder if they are more watchful? Interesting?

 

[cafarmgirl]

There will always be danger of hawk attack, rooster or no rooster. However a rooster can help simply by the fact that he will watch, if he's a good rooster, and sound a warning if he sees a hawk, giving the hens more time to hide. So from that view point any size rooster can fill the bill. As far as his suggestion for a bantam over a standard? Who knows, I'm sure he has his own preferences and reasons. Personally, in terms of free ranging birds, I feel like the larger and more visible a rooster is the more intimidating he is in terms of possible attack and the better the chance of his own survival if he does indeed try to intervene and block a hawk attack.

 

[countrygirl74]

 

[cafarmgirl]

I'm not entirely sure why he would suggest a bantam but I must tell you that my big EE rooster seems oblivious to what's flying around and my silkie roo sounds the warning call at every little sparrow. I wonder if they are more watchful? Interesting?

Mine is a big RIR and he completely ignores all other birds except for hawks. He will eyeball larger birds like doves, crows etc. but it's only the hawks that cause him to sound the alarm.

 

[Nambroth]

Perhaps he meant a game rooster, which can be a quick-footed, hawk-hating, son of a gun! There are pros and cons to this though, depending on your flock. A good rooster will defend girls to (his) death, but even the best rooster out there is not foolproof, nor can he be everywhere at once.

 

[drumstick diva]

Maybe the guy that suggested has a thing against batams and figures a small rooster would be a quick meal for a hawk allowing the others to escape. It seems like a strange thing to say - maybe he could explain his reasoning. Or like Nambroth(

Fud lady) said maybe he means game birds.