Any cold hearty, docile breeds that look like red jungle fowl?

[CradG]

I am wondering if anything with coloring similar to the original chickens, red jungle fowl, but that are docile and cold hearty exist? Would love to get something with that look, but want it to be happy spending most the time in the decent size run and handle Wisconsin winters.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I can't think of one that fits that criteria but you can peruse these excellent breed selection charts.
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Docile, friendly breeds are those that need lots of predator protection and don't fare greatly in a free range environment.

That said, most chickens can be tamed with enough time and effort.

Cold hardy breeds are those that were developed in cold climates. I'm not aware of a jungle fowl type bird that was developed in that type climate.
However, red jungle fowl have a native range that goes all the way into the Himalayan foothills so they are quite adaptable.

 

[Cyprus]

Where in WI are you? I'm also in Wisconsin.

 

[ThracianHorse]

Welsummers, maybe? The breed have the overall shape of a cold-climate bird, but they have reasonably similar coloring. (I know it's not EXACT, but it's at least similar!)

 

[CradG]

Where in WI are you? I'm also in Wisconsin.

We live in Madison. How about you?

 

[CradG]

I can't think of one that fits that criteria but you can peruse these excellent breed selection charts.
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Docile, friendly breeds are those that need lots of predator protection and don't fare greatly in a free range environment.

That said, most chickens can be tamed with enough time and effort.

Cold hardy breeds are those that were developed in cold climates. I'm not aware of a jungle fowl type bird that was developed in that type climate.
However, red jungle fowl have a native range that goes all the way into the Himalayan foothills so they are quite adaptable.

Thank you! Our run is built like a tank and they only free range when I am outside with them so we have not had any issues with predators. Just thought it would be cool to have something I can show my daughter, nieces, nephews, etc that looks reasonably like the chicken ancestor, but don’t want to necessarily mix a small, flighty chicken in my flock of mostly orpingtons, marans, and easter eggers, especially if they won’t do well in the winter.

 

[Cyprus]

We live in Madison. How about you?

I'll pm you

 

[Kessel23]

I agree with Welsummers. They are large birds and will do well in Wisconsin. Similar color to the RJF but different shape. Brown leghorns are also an option, I had a hen live 5 years through the Wisconsin winters, she just recently was killed by a raccoon.

 

[ThracianHorse]

In brainstorming a little bit about breeds... if you wanna go unusual and rare, Twentse, or Altsteirer might fit the bill too. I know they were developed in Europe, but I don't know their cold-hardiness or docility relative to other more common birds.

 

[muddy75]

i agree welsummer too....here’s a pic of my 3 mo cockerel (for coloring)