Useless Roos

[FluffyButtBabies]

I have a small backyard flock of 4 hens and 2 roos. They stay in a tractor for most of the day, but I watch them run around for an hour in the yard before nightfall. They've all been raised together, so even though the numbers are small the boys get along very nicely. One of the Roosters is a Polish, and the other is a young Faverolle. All of my birds are INCREDIBLY sweet and mild-mannered, and they love cuddles and such. The reason I have roosters really are to a) have chicks and b) protection. Well yesterday they experienced a very frightening hawk attack. The thing had been stalking them in a tree with perfect camouflage, and then swooped down two feet away from me to snatch one of the hens. Of course I grabbed a stick and ran after it screaming, and my hen managed to escape unscathed. But here's what I don't get: my boys did nothing at all! None of them did, really. I would have expected at least one of them to see the hawk, or at least alert the girls when it attacked. But the girls just ran into the open grass (which is stupid), and the boys stood there dumbfounded. Granted, this is their first real attack and they sounded the alarm after I shood them all in the coop, but it was a little late for that. What I'm wondering is, will they get any braver as protectors? Will they be able to spot incoming danger at all? I've been clipping the Polish's feathers to help him see, but I've rendered him hopeless. And the other is really sweet and loves cuddles, has a crossbeak, and just seems too innocent and tiny to help. They're all bantams, so they aren't really the strongest/biggest. Will the hens at least learn to fend for themselves? Thanks for the advice!

 

[Alaskan]

Will they at least learn how to hide?

Some might, some might not.

Polish and Faverolles are not noted for any predator smarts.

Now some dark brown Leghorns, those are impressively flighty, and might do a bit better.

But in general, sweet fluffy pet like chickens are... sitting ducks for predators.

 

[roosterhavoc]

It’s already been said that roosters don’t really do much against predators but the two breeds you have would definitely be considered useless. They’re two of the most docile breeds out there.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I havent ever seen a coopers hawk around my flocks, mainly only redtails & other larger species. Many people have said that hawks attacked their flocks & had no fear of humans; attacking mere feet away, as the op reported. Maybe smaller, more agile coopers think they can escape from a dog in time, while much heavier redtails fear getting caught on the ground? Idk. But after YEARS of no hawk attacks on the flock where the dogs mainly stay, while meanwhile the other 2 flocks have occasionally substained casualties (& some near misses), i have to credit the dogs' presence for being the sole difference.

 

[HappyDuckie]

It really depends on the chicken, but as they get older they should start protecting the hens. Not all roosters will take on hawks, but they should at least alert the hens of one. Good luck.

 

[Alaskan]

But here's what I don't get: my boys did nothing at all! None of them did, really. I would have expected at least one of them to see the hawk, or at least alert the girls when it attacked.

I have never understood the "i have a rooster to protect the hens". In my experience, they die.

With such a small flock, that would be heart breaking.

Now ganders, or my male muscovy, yes.. they could keep away and fight off eagles etc.

Roosters? Nope.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

^^^ this.

While I have less experience, I can say with absolute confidence that some of my breeds are markedly more predator aware than others. Only my dark brahma, from the flock shown in my sig, seem to have any awareness of aerial predators. Now, when the Brahma alert the Roo to the threat, he will stand loud and proud and crow up a storm to warn the rest of the flock - but someone has to tell him first.

 

[keesmom]

I've never had hawks deterred by a dog. Sometimes they aren't even deterred by the presence of a person - a Cooper's landed on a young pullet right at my daughter's feet last year.

Some hawks are difficult for chickens to see coming, the local Cooper's in particular. They excel at hunting through cover. One chased a hen yesterday through a row of bushes, up under the deck and pinned her to the foundation. Thick cover doesn't bother them at all. But if you have the larger, soaring species like redtails then the chickens have a little more chance. Unless it's the Polish. We broke our long-standing rule of no heavily crested birds. Never again.

 

[HappyDuckie]

How old are your chickens? Bantams are pretty feisty, in my experience. The polish will need his feathers trimmed consistently so that he will be able to see.

 

[FluffyButtBabies]

They're about 8 months old, so still young-ish.