American Gamefowl

[Random Iowan]

Nope dont have the land yet but I wanted to cross with Delaware's to create my own broiler that would have the ability to forage well so feed cost would be reduced

 

[Wyorp Rock]

A lot depends on whether or not you already have chickens, how much space you have, coops, pens etc..
Allowing birds to run loose full time isn’t necessarily less work and maintenance. I do it successfully but I will still lose a bird here and there usually to a fox before I can catch him.
I trap a lot of animals and I’m willing to kill just about anything messing with my birds.
Also I free range birds because it’s better for them to grow strong and healthy not because it’s less work or I don’t have the time.

Having birds cooped and in a run is probably "easier" or maybe "less worry".
I'm slightly more "comfy" in letting a few of mine run loose, but it seems like I'm always watching and checking even more frequently now than ever LOL I try to keep tabs on them.
I agree, they do seem to thrive loose though, lot of fun to watch too

 

[roosterhavoc]

Nope dont have the land yet but I wanted to cross with Delaware's to create my own broiler that would have the ability to forage well so feed cost would be reduced

You don’t want gamefowl

 

[Random Iowan]

Ok thanks for your help

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Nope dont have the land yet but I wanted to cross with Delaware's to create my own broiler that would have the ability to forage well so feed cost would be reduced

Knowing your goals and planning it out are a very good idea.
You may also want to do some research on pastured poultry or something like "best foraging meat birds"...lots of options out there and someone likely has already come up with something that may suit your needs. There's also good dual purpose birds out there too - maybe Plymouth Barred Rock, New Hampshire, etc.
https://blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com/2018/02/28/best-breeds-raising-pastured-poultry/

 

[Random Iowan]

Yeah ok thank you

 

[SOHC-FTW]

Gone fishing with Hillfolk today.

 

[SOHC-FTW]

Some older stuff I put together it’ll get fished with most likely this evening.

 

[roosterhavoc]

 

[roosterhavoc]