Will a Roo protect my hens from roaming dogs?

[TexasWineGuy]

Last week while my 6 hens were free-ranging some neighbors dog got out (pure breed Pointer) and killed 2 hens, and severely wounded another. I got off a couple shots (pistol) at it but missed.

Two days later the dog is back! I grabbed my pistol again and ran after it. Caught up with the owner, who was touring around the neighborhood in a golf cart - while letting the dog run loose.

I gave the owner a serious mouthful and made it clear that I will shoot that dog on site if it enters my property again (this time with a 12 gauge....).

Yesterday. something got another hen. Just a huge pile to feathers left.

I don't feel safe letting my hens free-range anymore. Hate the thought of keeping them locked up their entire lives.

Question: will a Roo protect my hens from such and event - a roaming dog?

Thanks,
TWG

 

[aart]

Question: will a Roo protect my hens from such and event - a roaming dog?

Not likely.
Build a bigger run to keep your birds safe.

 

[MountainWoman73]

He might try, but it's not a really good protection. I had a really good roo who died running straight at a bobcat, and saved all his hens. I have also had a dumb one who just ran in circles yelling and then dove under the porch to save himself during a hawk attack.

Dogs are a tough one, for sure. But a rooster likely won't solve the problem.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Roosters primarily serve as a lookout, very few will actually try to physically protect their hens from a predator. Especially one as large as a gundog. If your only reason for wanting a rooster is to deter predators you'd be better off investing in a large secure run.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

No

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Thanks guys. Guess I need to look into a fence.

TWG

 

[2 Acres]

Last week while my 6 hens were free-ranging some neighbors dog got out (pure breed Pointer) and killed 2 hens, and severely wounded another. I got off a couple shots (pistol) at it but missed.

Two days later the dog is back! I grabbed my pistol again and ran after it. Caught up with the owner, who was touring around the neighborhood in a golf cart - while letting the dog run loose.

I gave the owner a serious mouthful and made it clear that I will shoot that dog on site if it enters my property again (this time with a 12 gauge....).

Yesterday. something got another hen. Just a huge pile to feathers left.

I don't feel safe letting my hens free-range anymore. Hate the thought of keeping them locked up their entire lives.

Question: will a Roo protect my hens from such and event - a roaming dog?

Thanks,
TWG

Maybe... maybe not. Use that shotgun... With deer slugs. Many dogs like chickens as chew toys.

 

[SamLockwood]

Last week while my 6 hens were free-ranging some neighbors dog got out (pure breed Pointer) and killed 2 hens, and severely wounded another. I got off a couple shots (pistol) at it but missed.

Two days later the dog is back! I grabbed my pistol again and ran after it. Caught up with the owner, who was touring around the neighborhood in a golf cart - while letting the dog run loose.

I gave the owner a serious mouthful and made it clear that I will shoot that dog on site if it enters my property again (this time with a 12 gauge....).

Yesterday. something got another hen. Just a huge pile to feathers left.

I don't feel safe letting my hens free-range anymore. Hate the thought of keeping them locked up their entire lives.

Question: will a Roo protect my hens from such and event - a roaming dog?

Thanks,
TWG

No. Roosters are only really good as a warning system. Some of them will fight hawks, the best will frighten off small predators like opossums or raccoons if they're not too determined.

The smallest dogs tend to weigh twice as much as.the biggest roosters. Unless the dog is extremely timid the best a rooster is going to do against it is get killed instead of a hen.

Get your neighbor to see reason, put up a fence, or kill the dog.