Rooster Saved My Whole Flock

[ChickenCanoe]

Almost every rooster I've had in the last 5 years or more were great flock protectors and I haven't had one of this breed try to attack me. That's after well over 100 roosters. I did get attacked by a white and a partridge rock many years ago. They tasted just like chicken.

I've never had a rooster kill a raccoon yet but the raccoons don't arrive till after dark when the chickens are blind. I did have a flock of adolescent chickens free ranging one day that were attacked by a mink in the field. It had a cockerel by the head on the ground and all the other young cockerels were attacking the mink but he didn't care. I ended up stomping the mink to death. It was mayhem.

 

[cmom]

If you have a picture of Nathan, can you scan it to a jpg image and then you can post it. Most printers these days have scanners. Just curious. I breed Rhode Island Whites for showing at poultry shows. I had to rebuild my flock of RIW's with these three birds. I now have a nice flock of RIW's. Good luck and have fun...

 

[Chickassan]

Love good rooster stories so much more than bad ones.
They are so scarce around here sometimes though.
My rooster killed a mylar balloon that fell in the yard, not heroic but he dosen't know that.

 

[Rainwing]

My golden laced wyandotte cockerel is named Hunter, he has a good temperament and I hope he defends the flock like your Nathan did.

 

[Birdielee]

Wow. 3 raccoons. Great work, Nathan

 

[WhiteWaterLady]

That's amazing! Taking on 3 coons and taking them out. What a GREAT roo!!!! Glad you gave him such a send off. He certainly earned it.

I had 3 roos take on a neighbor's German shepherd that got into the flock area. One was killed. One was badly injured and became a resident of my living room (in a dog kennel) for about 6 weeks until his wounds healed. One got lucky and only lost a few tail feathers before I came out to see what the ruckus was all about. I lost my favorite hen in the attack as well. I did a lot of crying that day as I buried the 2 that died.

 

[centrarchid]

I will say this, we are missing some details.

 

[Vantic]

I will say this, we are missing some details.

This is why we do NOT despur our defenders.

I had a pair of Barred Rocks roos. Big Guy was alpha. It was winter and most of the flock was under the coop, except Big Guy and his #1 hen, they were roosting outside. I looked out the window and saw a hawk diving, by the time I refocused to the two chickens, the hen was gone and Big Guy had doubled in size. The hawk slammed on the air brakes not five feet from my roo and flew off. Not as heroic as Nathan, but I was proud of him.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

This is why we do NOT despur our defenders.

I had a pair of Barred Rocks roos. Big Guy was alpha. It was winter and most of the flock was under the coop, except Big Guy and his #1 hen, they were roosting outside. I looked out the window and saw a hawk diving, by the time I refocused to the two chickens, the hen was gone and Big Guy had doubled in size. The hawk slammed on the air brakes not five feet from my roo and flew off. Not as heroic as Nathan, but I was proud of him.

Wait, I'm confused. Did the hawk get the hen?

 

[TheOddOneOut]

This is why we do NOT despur our defenders.

Completely agree.