[dismantlethesun]

Protects them from what may I ask? I live in a city where chickens are permitted, and my neighbors chickens are all roaming the streets free-range, and their greatest danger is cars which roosters can't stop.

[TulliusCicero]

I'd imagine cats would be an issue unless you live somewhere that just has no (outdoor) cats.

[esseph]

Cats

Hawks

Possum

Racoon

Coyote

Etc.

[IAmBroom]

And rats and mice, which eat eggs. Roosters have been known to hunt them. They then parcel out the meat to their harem.