What is a good breed of rooster to watch over hens?

[ponderosalane]

OK Half the chicken community says get a rooster and half says no rooster. If we go with the "get a rooster" gang what breed of rooster will take good care of our hens. We have 2 each of: Buff Orpintons, Barred Rocks, Red Stars, Black Stars, Rhode Island Reds, Anconas and White Crested Black Polish. Don't blame me, my daughter picked them. I am only interested in the eggs.
What breed of Rooster??

 

[MakNat]

My Cochin rocks and my Leghorn rocks. Bantam Roos are good too, but could not breed big hens. All three look after 'their' hens and are docile towards me. Game roosters are VERY protective and will actually save the hens from hawks and such, may be a little aggressive towards people. Maybe not if your raise them and handle them alot!!

 

[Karen09]

The first year we did not have a rooster and so a hen became the rooster - stopped laying and started crowing. So the second year we tried having a rooster. First we had a Rhode Island Red. He became very aggressive, so the second in line was a Buff Orpington who was very sweet and protected the flock - I also worked with him alot when he was young. Holding him and carrying him. I now have an Ameraucana rooster who is very protective over the hens but doesn't bother us. The more you work with the rooster, the gentler they can be, but it is also part of their personality. Some are sweeter than others. Good luck deciding.

 

[A1 Steak Sauce]

I have an ol' game rooster someone gave me as a cockeral (there game hen died, so they no longer wanted him.) Not 100% sure what kind he is, but he's hands down the best roo I've ever had. He attacked me once and only once when he was still pretty young (on the ground he won't atack me now, picking him up it's a whole other story lol.) He's an awesome rooster.

 

[wendzgirls]

Roosters make the hens feel more secure and my experience is that they like their guys to be around. I have 3 separated flocks, each with one rooster and the guys always watch out for their girls. If you don't mind the crowing, roosters are great! Mine are a silkie, a brahma, and an americana. The only roos I have not cared for were Polish. They were all about themselves and didn't watch over the hens. Needless to say, they have new homes.

 

[debakadeb]

We chose a Buff Orpington. I actually chose the least aggressive one out of the spring roosters last year. I haven't been disappointed. He protects his ladies without getting aggressive towards us. And, he's rather pretty as well.

 

[texaschickmom]

Quote:
I agree. I have a BO and RIR rooster that I raised from day-olds. The BO has never given me a problem at all and takes good care of the hens. He is the dominant one. The RIR is somewhat smaller now but he makes up for it in attitude. I've had to chase him around the yard a few times with my pool skimmer. I'm glad we have no neighbors! So....go with a Buff Orpington.

 

[Momma_Cluck]

Silkie Roosters are very protective, yet gentle... make great protectors, as do Orphingtons, Barred Rocks etc...
Hand raise it-- lots of attention, and agression will not be an issue!

 

[A1 Steak Sauce]

Quote:
No kidding! I remember when I thought it would be fun to raise some Polish, well those roosters were horrible! They'd actually attack the hens to get their food, in fact I had one chase a hen around for ever because he threw a little tantrum; he didn't get to the food in time and she ate the piece he was running towards lol. I could go on and on, but they're all around terrible roos. Didn't have much meat on them but they tasted alright anyway!