Which chickens would you all say is the best free-ranger? I would like eggs, but I don't need a ton, so it's really not a big deal if they aren't huge producers. I'd like alert, smart (as chickens go), and good foraging ability. What have you guys had success with? They would, of course, have housing at night. Thanks!

-- Elizabeth (Lividia66@aol.com), March 04, 2001

Answers

All the standard breeds we've tried were good free-rangers. Leghorns (white) are always the first to find the goodies, and are the best layers too. We like Buff Orpingtons as an all-purpose bird, barred rocks are pretty good too. We keep a good mixture because it is so pleasant to see all the different colors and behaviours. We currently have (and would recommend any or all!) Aracaunas, Buff Orpingtons, Light Brahmas, Leghorns, Barred Rocks, Black Australorps, and a Rhode Island Red. We have tried and would also recommend New Hampshire Reds and Black Giants. I personally wouldn't recommend Bantams, and there's probably a consensus that the Cornish-Rock cross meat birds do NOT free range well.

-- David C (fleece@eritter.net), March 04, 2001.

Whatever you will enjoy looking at because they will be every where ! Including your porch.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), March 05, 2001.

I've had Turkens, Silkies, Polish, Frizzles, Sultans, Ameraucana, Old English Games, Cochins, etc. They all free range well. Due to many night time predators, mine only free range during the day. All adults that are new to me and babies that are feathered up and ready to go outside, are kept penned for 3 weeks (6 weeks for guineas). This trains them to return to the pens at dusk to roost. I then close the gates.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), March 05, 2001.

I've had Turkens, Silkies, Polish, Frizzles, Sultans, Ameraucana, Old English Games, Cochins, etc. They all free range well. Due to many night time predators, mine only free range during the day. All adults that are new to me and babies that are feathered up and ready to go outside, are kept penned for 3 weeks (6 weeks for guineas). This trains them to return to the pens at dusk to roost. I then close the gates. Works for me!

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), March 05, 2001.

I have silkies, Polish, Plymouth Rock, Golden Comets and Light Brahmas and 2 Muscovies. They all free range quite well together, the Silkies stay closer to the henhouse. The Muscovy drake stay by the henhouse and fights any intruder...even though I lock up my precious hens at night, I've never seen an intruder even attempt my hens because of the large Muscovy drake is like a protector. I will from now on, always have a large drake or gander in with my other hens. Michele

-- Michele Rae Padgett (michelesmelodyfarm@Yahoo.com), March 05, 2001.

Dark Cornish. Very wary, super-good foragers, seem to travel (on ground) and sit in flocks which lets the wary roosters watch for everybody -- unlike scattered flocks I have had in the past. Seem to have a good chick-raising instinct and are hardy for the winter.

Some of the roosters can get rather nasty to those humans not able to withstand a challenge. Kids and one of my 4 roosters last year would not be a good mix.

Had 1 hen and her 2 pullet chicks from last year along with a white rock hen make it through a difficult MN winter this year with little visitation/supervision and no apparent distress. Some grain and table scraps every once in awhile, but forced to forage snow for moisture and deal with a cold shelter (door never closed).

-- Michael Olson (olsonmr@yahoo.com), March 05, 2001.

Get what you like!!! They are all born foragers - supplement their bug/weed (and if you're not careful veggie) diets with a little grain and oyster shell and have a blast!! The last chickens I raised were a mixed set of meat/egg producers, straight run - and fun to watch!!

I did clip their wings, though, as I was in the suburbs at the time and didn't think the neighbors would appreciate the chicken **** competing with all the goose **** laying in their yards......

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 05, 2001.

We do, or did, free range Orpingtons, Rocks, Araucanas, various sex- links, Australorps, Black Giants, Rhode Islands, Brahmas, Wyandottes, Hamburgs, Sussex and various banties. All did well in my opinion. My current favorite, and a very good forager, is the Brown Leghorn. Not as flighty as the white Leghorn, but a good layer of white eggs, very pretty, and they seem to be quite alert to predators. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), March 06, 2001.

ELIZABETH, We've had all different types of poultry free ranging.but, confine them at might or you'll loose them, GOOD LUCK

-- PRISCILLA (Mtasheacres@aol.com), March 11, 2001.