As Janiedoe writes, he's unlikely to physically protect the hens. If you keep your chickens contained in a coop and run most of what a rooster can and will do in a free range setting is wasted. He may offer some protection in the event of a hawk strike but you will probably find he won't attack the hawk until the hawk is on top of the hen. In such cases I believe he sees another male trying to mate one of his hens and sees red and attacks.
If your hens had a rooster in their group before and they have the space to evade this cockerels attentions then ime the hens will fare okay.
It's the keeping circumstances that often dictate the males behaviour rather than some supposed defect in his attitude.
If your hens had a rooster in their group before and they have the space to evade this cockerels attentions then ime the hens will fare okay.
It's the keeping circumstances that often dictate the males behaviour rather than some supposed defect in his attitude.