Would a Red Ranger be a good rooster for flock protection?

[SneakyChicken4]

Last night, tragedy struck. A fox got our old rooster and three hens. It was my fault for forgetting to shut the henhouse door. He was a good rooster, not aggressive, but very attentive to his flock.

So, now we're on the lookout for a new rooster to help protect the flock while they free range during the day. In addition to our laying hens, we also have about 30 meat chickens that are destined for freezer land soon. My husband suggested that we pardon one of the young roosters from his butchering fate, and use him for a flock rooster. In some ways it makes sense...we've had them for longer than a month, so we already know that they're healthy and we wouldn't need to quarantine for as long before introducing a young Red Ranger rooster to the egg birds...

Would a Red Ranger make a good rooster for our hens? Is this a breed that's pretty much only good for the freezer?

 

[Michael OShay]

Sorry about the loss of your chickens. I hate to be the harbinger of bad news but no breed of rooster is going to actually be able to protect your flock from a fox or any number of other predators. The best you can hope for is that they will be alert to the presence of these predators and sound an alarm. A Red Ranger would not be the best choice for this. You would be better off with one of the very active and alert Mediterranean class breeds or game breeds. Just keep in mind that these breeds are going to be flighty and possibly aggressive.

 

[SneakyChicken4]

Thank you. Yes, I know a rooster isn't adequate protection from fox and coyotes (obviously, since we lost our rooster). I just mean it terms of keeping an eye on them during the day while they're free roaming, sounding the alarm, making sure they all get in for the night, and just generally keeping the flock in order.