is it better to have a rooster or not?

[the3ofus+oursixchicks]

Like most already said, a rooster will run at the sight of a hawk and run faster than the hens too. If you wanted a roo to try and fend off predators your best roo to get would be a Thai or Shamo. Those breeds get huge and have been known to whoop on coons and other small predators. It's probably the exeption (acception?) than the rule though, I'm sure plenty Thai and Shamo still get killed by small predators too.
Although, a rooster will be keeping and eye out more often than the hens and most likely would see the hawk first and alert the girls. It's kinda hard not to alert who ever is around when your running for your life and screaming your head off. I've lost 2 chicks to hawks and I had 4 roosters at the time, one of which is a Thai.
But I say get the rooster. I started with three hens and when I got a rooster they were noticably happier.
Also, it's not certain that the hawk(s) are going to keep coming back and taking your chickens until they are all gone. The two hawk attacks that happened to me were very spread out.

yes i havent had a ton of trouble with hawks we see them sparatically. that is the first time he actually got his claws on one. thats funny running for their life screaming their head off. hmmmm sounds like they alert everyone but they arent going to get left behind. ha ha

 

[gritsar]

Roo's don't seem to mind if they die or not, and when you de-spur them they don't seem to feel it. They want the hens and chicks to live. Hurray for roo's! Alarm clocks and protectors!

A roo's whole life involves peacekeeping amongst the hens, protecting the hens and procreating. The roos I have had in the past were all excellent with chicks too. It's in their favor to be protectful of chicks, because the chicks are carrying on their bloodline. Even if the chicks were sired by another rooster, the alpha roo doesn't know that.

 

[gritsar]

I disagree with the statement that a roo will run away from a predator and run faster than the hens. That's not always the case. My chickens were once under attack by a couple of stray dogs. As my DH ran for a gun and was trying to chase the dogs, I was busy trying to gather up my hens. I had the opportunity to watch my brahma and turken roo in action. Thor, my brahma, ran back and forth in front of the dogs. We could tell his actions were deliberate. He distracted the dogs, giving his hens time to hide. Impy, the turken, was busy trying to herd the hens away from the dogs at the same time.

A good roo will protect his hens to the best of his ability, even at the cost of his own life. There is no substitute for a good roo, IMO.