How much help will a Roo be?

[sherrydeanne]

I'm going to rebuild my small flock after a fox attack. I'm looking at 5 hens and maybe a roo. We have hawks, coyotes, racoons, skunks and probably every other predator alive in the northeast. I do have neighbors and don't plan on hatching any chicks. So, is a roo worth the trouble? I have an 8x8 coop, which will soon attach to a very strong 8x8 run that will be open during the winter and on days I'm not home. When I'm home during decent weather (which is most days), that small run will open to a larger chicken-wire enclosure where they can 'range' during the day. What say you about a roo? They will be in the woods in just chicken wire during the day but will be very protected dusk-dawn. I'm wondering if a roo is worth the trouble (I have small kids and neighbors) for the hours during the day they're just in the larger wire enclosure.
Any thoughts?

 

[pkeeler]

Roosters are good, with experience, against hawks. But if your chickens have wire overhead, then hawks should not be a problem. If a fox got into your run, I doubt a rooster would help. Maybe the rare one would attack, but most will probably sit by and watch or run. Besides good fencing, a dog would probably be the only deterrent to four legged predators. Most 4-legged predators are nocturnal, so, if your coop is well constructed the run should not be a big deal.

 

[fordmommy]

Also-most any small dog, fox, whatever, is very capable of killing a roo.

. Not to mention raccoons. Don't believe that a roo is the solution.

 

[sherrydeanne]

Thanks guys (gals). That's what I thought, that a roo might make me 'think' they were safer but probably wouldn't actually help too much. I figure that if a big predator gets through my run and into my coop, nothing at all could help. If I was going to free-range in my yard like last year, a roo could be a big help but since I'm going to fence them in, I'll go rooless. Thanks!!

 

[gritsar]

A good rooster is good at warning the hens of danger and providing distraction, giving the hens plenty of time to hide. Depending on how much of a cowboy the rooster is, he may or may not decide to take on a small predator like a hawk or a coon.
He shouldn't be counted on to protect the hens from all evils, just as an early warning system. My roo knows what's in the skies above the flock at all times.
In a pen, the rooster is at a disadvantage and would have to fight for his life, just like the hens.

 

[Roy]

I would not depend on a roo to defend my girls. IMO, I would replace the chicken wire with welded wire. Most good size animals can go right thru chicken wire...

 

[gryeyes]

I didn't plan on having a rooster. My Carl was an "accidental" one - was supposed to be "Carly."

He's almost 18 wks old now, and he sure is pretty. He's a hoot to watch. I was planning on giving him back to the feed store (they take back "accidental roos" they sold as pullets), but ..... I like him.

I have bird netting over my chicken run, so I am not really keeping him for "security" reasons. I also plan on collecting ALL eggs, so I don't need Carl to produce chicks. I don't even mind his crowing, even now that he's got a real crow going. Just a couple syllables short on that cock-a-doodle-doo, but hearty enough.

I guess I'm just a softie. If he was mean, or aggressive, or downright ugly, maybe I'd have turned him back in.

 

[chickletranch]

i agree - roosters are a big help with free-range flocks. our original rooster, cedric, fought off a dog and led him away from the coop,
giving the hens time to scatter and hide. fortunately, i was home and able to capture the dog before it did any harm. our roos also warn the
hens when there's a hawk overhead, and they run for cover. they also seem to keep order with the hens and prevent squabbles. i'm a fan!

best,
Lynn

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I can be in the house all day while my flock free ranges. I'll hear normal chicken noises now and then, egg songs from the hens and my roo crowing. If it's just normal chicken noises, I know all is well in their world. However, if I hear my rooster make a certain noise I'm out there in a heartbeat. He never fails to let me know when something's not right.

 

[speckledhen]

My roosters are my first line of defense, but realistically, they will probably lose their lives defending their women. That is their purpose in life, what they were born to do, aside from fertilizing eggs and breaking up hen fights. You will find many stories here on BYC of roosters who saved their flocks, but lost their lives in the process. They are much more observant than the hens are and spend maybe 75-80% of their time just watching while the girls stuff their faces. I do feel it's worth the trouble to have a rooster most of the time. Mine have been a joy and I'm glad they're here.