Intro And Questions about game chickens and crosses thereof

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC, Luke. I know many people don't consider old english gamehens to be real game chickens, but they are excellent free rangers and the roosters don't go out of their way to fight. They are defensive of their hens and chicks but they stay in their own territory.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, Luke and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
Glad you have decided to de-lurk!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[theoldchick]

Game and game crosses, though very hardy, do require extra management to keep them thriving. True game birds will grow up with fighting in their blood and the roosters must be separated at an early age to prevent cannibalism.

 

[triciayoung]

Hey Ya'll I'm Lukers, as my friends call me. I've been stalking the forums and I'm new here, so I am introducing myself, stating a few goals for my poultry keeping, and just getting to know ya'll. So I'm from a small town in North Central Arizona, I am 16, I raise chickens, pigs and Muscovy ducks. I am a 4-H member and go to a Pre college Ag school, and I'm working on my qualifications and pre-requisites to become a large livestock vet.
So, my questions are, and I would like any experienced game fowl folks to chime in here, I want to get games or game crossed breeds such as Kraienkoppes or Sumatras or old English standards. I want them for free range living, since I keep the predators down well and can provide supplemental feed in the winter, and I want something that doesn't lay a ton of eggs, but does lay enough to eat a few and let the hens hatch the rest. Maybe a cross of like an ancona or leghorn with a game of some sort. I really am interested in the Kraienkoppe breed, and I'd like to be able to keep roosters together without any serious fights, though the scuffles and floggings for hens or pecking order are completely okay. Any advice?
Also, what do you all think of the birds from Sandhill preservation center? I would buy both layers and dual purpose birds and the game or game mixed breeds from them and I actually got an email response from Glenn Drowns of the farm answering a few of my questions, and I'd like to know what the rest of you think about the poultry from there, and not just chickens, but all of it.
Thank you
Luke

Welcome. I have heard good things about the quality of birds from Sandhill Preservation Center.

 

[sourland]

Good morning, Luke, and welcome to BYC. Good luck in achieving your goals.

 

[N F C]

Hello Luke, best of luck with all your plans!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

So glad you decided to join us. Make yourself at home here!

 

[Lukers]

Salve (Latin for hello)! What chicken breeds do you have now?

I've got backyard mutts, a Brahma rooster, some Cochin bantys, and whatever the feed store had this spring, like Delawares, Easter eggers, leghorns, ect.

 

[Lukers]

Hello Luke, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Never heard of Sandhill Preservation Center. Good luck with you game mix project and pursuit of your vet degree.

Thanks Dobie Lover!

 

[Lukers]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. The Best of Luck with your Plans. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska!

Hey thanks, good to meet you.