Would a rooster go after a dog?

[philintheblank]

I recently lost 6 hens to a neighbours dog, it tore through the top of my run where i only had door screen on the lid. I have no desire to breed chickens so i didnt have a rooster, so i am just wondering if i got a batam rooster of a breed that is known to be agressive, would that deter a dog from attacking the rest of the chickens, and also being a bantam would it try to breed my hens? i have heard the game breeds are agressive but would they be good coop mates?

also i live in Alberta, Canada so the winters are really cold here, last january was -30 for 6 weeks straight, the hens didnt go outside much even if i did leave the door open for them, so i am limited to the breeds i can house in the coop.

i will hopefully be getting a new flock by next spring, meanwhile i am improving the coop and getting it more ready for winter so i dont have to rely on electric heating as much as i did this winter, just didnt feel right leaving the poor girls out there with nothing to keep them warm.

any advice would be great

 

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

To answer the title of your thread: "Yes."

I keep some roosters, ganders, drakes for the sole purpose of protecting my hens. I would rather lose a roo than a hen.

Bantams are indeed known for being feisty, but not all bantams, take Cochins for instance. A "gamier" bantam, such as an Old English might be a good choice. Rhode Island Red Roosters would be a good choice, even though full sized. Rhodys are among the more aggressive breeds.

A goose. (Or a gaggle.)

Guinea cocks! (They wouldn't breed your chickens either.)



ETA: As the following poster makes clearer than I implied, you would need to be prepared/expect that a roo that defended the girls from a dog would likely be seriously wounded or killed.

 

[ralleia]

Certainly, some roosters would go after a dog. That doesn't mean that the rooster would live, nor that he would prevent the dog from killing every single hen as well. Dogs seem to like to kill for "fun."

I absolutely would NOT count on any rooster to be able to deter an aggressive dog. The only way(s) to handle an aggressive dog are 1) secure fencing, 2) lawsuit, 3) shoot, shovel, and shut up (if this is legal in your jurisdiction), or 4) protection dog.

 

[philintheblank]

It is very Leagal to shoot dogs on your property in alberta... but i happen to be in Ontario doing training right now.
i went home to see my finace on easter weekend, then the next day when i got back to the base, i got the call from her.
it really sucked becuase she found her favorite one half alive all chewed up... i called a buddy and he went over and dispatched her, poor girl.

i have had lots of stray cats in my yard too, but they never hurt anything. nethertheless, i think its time for some stray animal control when i get back home.

Id never count on a rooster to fully protect my hens, but i am looking at all options at this point.

 

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

I really prefer the guineas as a first line of defense. They are more aggressive than roosters -- toward dogs that is. Then a roo or two with the girls as a second string.


I keep peafowl, geese, and guineas (and other birds). The peafowl, geese, and guineas make sufficient alarm noises and are an excellent collective defense (offense

).

 

[terrilhb]

And yes they will mate with your hens. But back to original topic. Some rooster's are more aggresive. I have 2 RIR's and 1 Minorca. My RIR's are more docile than my Minorca. He goes after almost everyone and everything. They are awesome

 

[Oregon Blues]

A rooster can not defeat a dog. Maybe a timid dog might be frightened away, but the dogs you are having trouble with have already learned that they can kill chickens. All that will happen is that the dogs will kill your rooster.

I suggest a large humane trap for the dogs and then take them to the pound. If you are lucky, the pound will let you know who picks the dogs up and you can go after that person for the price of the dead chickens.

Maybe if the dog owner has to pay to bail the dogs out and has to pay for the damage, he will keep the dogs home.

 

[ben is a terror]

My rooster chased my 105lb G. Shepard across the yard one day. It was pretty funny. They can be very protective of the flock.. Old English bantams are true fighters. They will protect their flock till death.

 

[ladybug99]

My rooster has attempted to go after my dog.. but he is so laid back he did not even notice. My pup was raised with the baby chicks and looks at them as part of his pack. My rooster will go after anything.. including me to protect his girls.. I think he would fight till he died. He is about 12 pounds and I doubt he could do any real damage to a dog... except to scare it off.

 

[GarlicEater]

Sure a feisty rooster will go after a dog.

The commotion may give you a heads-up in time to solve the problem with a gun.

Look up your laws - if you can legally keep chickens, chances are there's a law that predatory wildlife/feral pets may be put down if they're on your land harassing (much less eating) your livestock.

It's a great law, I think.