question: rooster?

[planker]

how much will a rooster help to protect the hens? i have all hens, but was advised by one of my chicken-rearing friends that the hens are just generally happier with a rooster around.

we would rather have smooth relations with the neighbors, however, and have only gotten hens to date...

not sure with my previous losses if a rooster would have helped. just asking...

thanks in advance

 

[speckledhen]

They do help, but know that no rooster is a match for a dog or fox on a killing spree. He will alarm, probably get the hens to safety, then face the enemy and probably lose his life. I adore my roosters and they have saved the girls from hawk attack simply by being more vigilant than the women. They spend about 80% of their time just watching out for danger while the hens stuff their faces. I consider my roosters my first line of defense.

 

[jjdward]

Well, a rooster won't fight off a dog or bobcat, but He will alert the girls to any threat that he sees. I have heard of a rooster putting himself in danger to get the attention off the girls. I have a roosters because my hens seem to be calmer with a rooster. I also don't mind the occasional bitty running around

. If you have close neighbors, it may be a problem. Also, without a rooster, a hen will take on the role of "keeping everybody in line" so to speak. Good luck.

 

[speckledhen]

I know someone whose big rooster just killed an attacking hawk. That is a bit unusual, but the rooster has 3" curved spurs! Most of the time, just their warnings save the girls, but I remember my wonderful BR rooster, Hawkeye, may he rest in peace, used to get the girls into hiding then stand out in the open like this big barred statue, daring the attacker to come down. Roosters can be amazing.

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

I love my rooster! he is great but he can be a little harsh during mating season, sometimes making them bleed around their combs, but they are great (most of the time)!! And i have a question can u trim spurs with cutters?? or will it hurt them?