Which breed of rooster will protect my hens best?

[Josh45640]

The best rooster that I have ever owned as far as running his flock, was a monster of a jersey giant. He was as calm as could be as long as he didnt think there was any danger. The kids could walk right up to him and pet him. But let any other animal enter the yard and see his rage! He never tried to attack a human, but he would "strut" and get between yo and the hens if you were getting them too excited.

 

[Meara]

My bantam EE roo is awesome protecting my hens and chicks and cuddly with people, or at least with people who he considers "safe" around his "family". I really believe it's a matter of personality not size or breed. Last week my 14 year old niece was chasing a chick around the yard trying to catch it and the chick was peeping up a storm so my head roo (and he's a bantam) ran over to see what was going on. He has known my niece his whole chicken life, but when she seemed to be threatening one of his own he very firmly but politely "escorted her out of the yard"! I watched the whole scene and was laughing myself silly as this teensy roo faced her down and drove her over the property line and into the neighbor's yard.

One poster mentioned a 3 month old cockeral and that is just too young to expect rooster behavior. It'd be like asking a 10 year old boy to act like a full grown man. The bird needs to be dosed with all those good rooster hormones that come with sexual maturity.

 

[LittleDevilCockOwner]

Quote:
I forgot to mention my Belgian D'Uccle devil also does have a certain tolerance with some like myself, I figure he see's me more as the Alpha in the flock since he will allow me to hold his girlfriend without any sort of attack but simply a wary eye. It all has to do with how you treat the roo I guess since I'm the only one not to show any fear of him and instead of running from him I'll call his bluff and attempt to hold him which he'll try to avoid but once held he will be calm, I guess he see's it as my dominance over him and can see that if you do train those more aggressive roo's and show them no fear they will learn to accept your dominance in their flock.

 

[Pathfinders]

I hope this doesn't come across as too cynical, but you can't count on a cock bird to protect your hens. You need to create a living space for your birds that is safe from predators, you can't expect a male to do more than make a loud noise and run away fast if danger appears.

What sort of predators are you hoping to protect against?

 

[mjuenem]

Start with a RIR.

 

[socks]

Quote:
I guess I have to pretty much agree with this and say that size might matter. I like to say our Buff Orpington rooster took on a raccoon and so saved his girl's lives. He lived to tell the tale because we were nearby and with a threatening rake and a lot of growling on my part (yep! - seemed like a good response) the coon took off with only a handful of tailfeathers. The fact is, it may well have been his size that attracted the coon because other than being an utter gentleman to the girls and very watchful and ready to sound the alarm he is...well, often the first one in the coop in a scare. He does make up for it by only crowing at respectable hours (I feel so lucky about that!)

 

[Pathfinders]

A fully grown raccoon boar or sow is capable of killing a large dog (think Lab.) I would never count on a chicken to fend a raccoon off. Never.

 

[heather112588]

Quote:
So true. I had heard that they were aggressive but i was surprised...i guess i just got lucky with my gilda. He is a real gentleman, a good protector (chases off cats all day- we have 4) and has never shown me agression. At almost a yr old, he doesnt like it but still lets me pick him up...he is trained to come by name too

bragging on my handsome red head

 

[farm raised]

Quote:
i have a lab retreavor mix that has killed two coons (one full growm) in my backyard. hes a really good dog and has only gone after a hen once and hasn't tryed since. a good dog will save you a lot and there ain't no way a little coon would. take him down.

 

[psimons2004]

I was advised to throw in a few guinea hens with my flock, but in theory they are prey too... Last year all our chickens got eaten in one night by a fox. We went out and bought 5 hens and 1 Rhode Island Red Rooster. They had been raised free range with basically zero handling and he was the meanest bird EVER! We actually sold him last fall because we couldn't even collect eggs. I swear that bird tried to kill me at least once a day. We took bats or tennis rackets or fence posts with us to feed them as protection, LOL. He was horrible. We named him Sunday (Sunday Dinner!). Needless to say, the fox came around anyway and even slept on the roof of the coop sometimes, but never laid a paw on our chickens!

This year we have all new chicks with veered breeds. 3 Roos out of 12 chicks. Yesterday the fox came. Our silkie got attacked but the fox got a mouthful of fluff, our frizzle stood up to him and got a large awful wound on his back side, hoping he makes it but he was very very brave, and the real story is that our Bantum Feather footer Belgium partridge cockerel (only 3 months old). Watched the whole thing and got so mad he actually got the lid lifted on the coop _ I have idea where he found the strength, my 7 year old can't open it alone_ and got out and (I swear) chased that fox out of our yard!!!! I am so proud of him! And this morning he is proud of himself too - he crowed at the sun this morning for the first time!!!! He is a very sweet bird most of the time, we all hold him in our laps and pet him and he'll even cuddle. In fact his name is Sweet Pea (we thought it was a girl)... So, I think it may just be the luck of the draw. And he is SOOO little. Wish I had a picture to share with you. Good luck!