rooster for protection

[Bullitt]

our rooster is 3 years old, and all the stories I've heard about barred rock roosters are not good ones. we actually didn't really pick him as the rooster, but he kinda picked us. We thought he was a hen.
Sorry, guess those stories were wrong!

The stories you heard may have been correct. You just can't say that all Barred Rock roosters are aggressive toward people so don't get a Barred Rock rooster. Some are aggressive and some aren't. As I mentioned, it has to do with individual personality and how the rooster was raised. Part nature and part nurture, if you will.

 

[shmccarthy]

A rooster *may* be able to protect your flock from some predators but not many. When I say protect, I say he will warn the flock of the predator and make a lot of noise so they can get away. Roosters that will sacrifice their life for their flock are few and far between, the predator will kill the rooster and the flock will be left to the predator. My barred rock rooster will scream if he sees a bird fly over (planes too) and the flock will run and hide. I expect him to do this and appreciate him looking out for him. In all reasonability, I would never expect him to fight off anything near his size or larger. Although it will seem valiant, it won't work out in favor for him. There is no way a rooster will ever be able to take on a dog. What you should do is beef up your defenses and make sure your coop and run is predator proof. Losses during unsupervised free range can be expected, *most* all losses in coops and runs can be prevented without having a rooster to protect the flock.
Roosters aren't typically the best with children, especially if your intentions with it is to guard the flock, you'd want an aggressive rooster for that. Personally I would just work on making the coop and run more predator proof to protect your girls.

 

[spies04]

I have a Rhode Island Red who is my little man - sweet as can be and is so great to his girls. But honestly, if a predator came into our yard, he would run screaming like a girl - "every chicken for themselves." He is good to his ladies but they truly boss him around. I would recommend a dog as well who is safe around your chickens. We lost some chickens to foxes a while back who came right into our yard when we were home so now, we built an enclosed pen for the day when we are gone and at night they are closed in a house that we built elevated from the ground. They only free range when my dogs are out and we are working close in the area. We know the foxes have come back around since they have had a food source, but we also have eagles, wolves, weasels, etc.

Our chickens had a very gruesome death by the foxes - I am not sure I could do that again. Good Luck!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Like I have mentioned before in this forum, mean or woman and man fighting roosters are made never born or hatched. If you really really can't help yourself and you just must catch, pick up, or pet your hens, especially in the presence of your rooster then don't own a rooster. Sooner or later he will get the idea that you are also a rooster and that you are in competition with him for the favors of his hens and take you on.

Always catch your hens off the roost and after dark when chickens are more or less blind and helpless. Never cause a ruckus in the hen house at at time of the day or night unless you enjoy being flogged by your rooster. The same thing goes for children running, playing, and shouting around your coop or run.

X2
Excellent advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

I like having a good rooster who shows everyone where to eat, to nest, and settles all disputes in the flock. He also sounds the alarm call to warn everyone about hawks and other predators. I think generalities about certain breeds being aggressive or mean can turn a lot of people off certain breeds unfairly. If people breed aggressive roosters, you will get more aggressive roosters. I have heritage Rhode Island reds--the old fashioned type--and even though people talk about their hatchery and feed store reds being aggressive, my HRIR roosters and hens are the most docile and laid back birds ever. It depends on how they were raised and selected for breeding.