Elaine and I are often fascinated with the behavior of our heritage Rhode Island Reds, and such was the case again a few days ago. Late in the afternoon, I heard Don, our lone rooster, sound the alarm note, so I rushed outside to see what had happened.
I saw Don "high stepping" around in his run, and in the adjacent run, I observed that Mary and her two 14-week old pullets and cockerel, Don, Jr., had all run into their hen house. Then I saw what looked like a Cooper's hawk fly away and Don let out another alarm note.
A good rooster, and Don is probably the best one we've ever had, will constantly be on guard and will fight to protect his flock. Of course, with the netting over our two runs, the chickens were not in any danger. Still, Don performed his job admirably.
I was a little dismayed that his offspring, Don, Jr., was cowering in the run with the hens. But, Elaine said that he was still a cockerel, maybe he would grow into the role of protector.
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