Will a rooster attack my cats and dogs?

[Melontine]

I have five Buff Orpington hens and six chicks, I'm thinking one of the chicks is a roo and trying to figure out how he'll affect things when he grows up. My hens free-range and do rather well. I think they could benefit from having a rooster to protect them.
But I also have three small dogs and a couple of cats who go in and out of the house. So far my animals don't have any issue with each other. The hens are too big to be considered prey and the chicks aren't were the dogs or cats can get them. But will the rooster understand this too? How aggressive do Orpington roosters tend to be about protecting their hens?
What can I do to protect both my chickens and my other pets?

 

[333113]

It's hard to predict a rooster's personality, even if you know the breed. A lot of his attitudes are based on the personal experience of the rooster, and, if you believe research, on the experience of his parents and grandparents (https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24677-fear-of-a-smell-can-be-passed-down-several-generations/).
If you are around to make sure no problems occur or gt serious when they are first together, you may be able to detect a pattern that will let you decide if the roo and the other pets can co-exist. Sometimes aggressive behavior on the part of a roo will trigger fight reflexes in a dog, and here I am speaking directly about my Chinese Crested male dog, who is fine if chickens ignore him, but can not for any reason turn down a challenge to fight. So my dog gets along fabulously with most of my roos, but one Ameraucana and one Delaware roo are on his list, as I am sure he is on theirs.

 

[Melontine]

So a lot of waiting and seeing what happens then? I can live with that.
That research sounds interesting, I hadn't heard of that before. Of course, we'll still be going blind though since we got the chicks from a feed store. But it might help predict future generations or when we know the parentage.

I guess our plan for right now is to introduce them the same way we'll introduce the chicks to the hens in a couple of weeks. Keep them separated for a while where they can see each other, then let them all loose together to free range and watch from there.

The dogs I think I can somewhat predict. One thinks she's household protector, most likely to fight the roo is threatened. Another isn't phased by anything, she once had an angry mama cat after her fighting and scratching but she just kept walking? Last dog, everything makes her nervous so she tends to avoid the chickens, will just run and hide behind someone else barking like mad.
I guess we'll see.
Wouldn't it be funny if I'm wrong and the chick is a pullet and I'm worried for no reason? Still, better to think about it now rather than after breaking up a fight or something.

 

[chrissynemetz]

It really does depend on the rooster. My rooster and the cats and dogs get along fine. (I did have a mama hen who would terrorize the cats, but that's another story.) Watch them very close when you introduce them just in case it goes bad. I wish you good luck

 

[DellaMyDarling]

There are some methods that help with establishing human dominance over roosters.
Another member here gave me a really handsome little juvenile Roo.
Only a handful of times, when pressure has been high and I directly made a hen squeal has he moved towards me at all. He also tends to avoid the man of the house.
My preteen son? He's fair game for some reason. We carry rooster whips (long apple branches that taper at an end) so if he's looking upset with us we can give his tooshy feathers a slap.
My youngest child has been pecked and spurred, but she is also careless in her actions around the birds or downright a pest to them. In my opinion, she deserves a peck back into line because human consequences don't seem to help her understand.

My dog? The hens are more likely to peck her. She gets right in their faces or butts. She never makes them squeal so Roo usually leaves her be. Dog is also very correctable and typically listens well, something that I think is a must on the farm.

 

[aart]

It's hard to predict a rooster's personality, even if you know the breed. A lot of his attitudes are based on the personal experience of the rooster

.....and a lot depends on the human keepers behaviors around the cock/erel.

How old are your chicks.....ah, I now see your other thread, about 5-6 weeks is the perfect time to tell that you do indeed have a male.
Perfect time also to stop 'cuddling' or handling him much and start 'walking thru' him while still handling the pullets so he will learn and know that you won't 'hurt' anyone.
That's my theory anyway, lots of other opinions on how to raise a good cock/erel.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @Melontine
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Shadrach]

There is absolutely no incentive for a rooster to attack a dog. It's a fight he's going to lose, the dog isn't trying to mate with his hens and if properly managed, isn't eating his and his hens food.
More to the point, is your dog likely to attack or bother a rooster?

 

[Chickassan]

I'd say it is unlikely. A young fella still in the hoodlum stage might give it a whirl.
Mature ones are bouncers on call mostly, they'll beat it up if the ladies need it to be done or to move a loitering possible rival along his way. They tend to reserve their extra energy for the romatic part of their job.