!any things to know before getting a asil!

[fluffycrow]

So game stag question - I have a different breed of game fowl (actually a cross of Flarry Eye Gray and Whitehackles) and have two stags as part of a forest chicken project. If they are totally free-range, will the two stags not try to kill each other if they encounter each other out and about? I've kept one contained with two leghorn hens for the last few days now that the other is out 24/7 with two game hens and 3 leghorn hens.

I honestly don’t know. My experience is with Orientals, and even that is limited. I haven’t had luck with any coexisting while free ranging (under any circumstances).

Males that weren’t gamefowl were tolerated, as long as they didn’t pick fights.

Your space is likely much bigger, and has a lot more cover and forage options for them. Their ‘wild’ instincts might kick in and they could figure that they can work with sharing the land. I don’t think it would be totally unlikely. Unfortunately you won’t know for sure until/if you try it. I’ve seen a few photos of your gamefowl in the landrace thread, gorgeous birds. I really hope it will work out in the end.
Any mixes here have been able to coexist quite peacefully, so I think even the first generation crosses either the leghorns will be much more agreeable there

 

[Appalachickens]

My father in law used to turn 12-18 game stags loose to run free on the farm. Lots of woods nearby too. In a years time there would only be 1 or 2 left from fighting and predation. That 1 cock would produce super chicks. The strong survive. I would keep all my oriental game stags together to free range with no hens around. They fought and established a pecking order but no deaths. Of course i separated before they got too old

Game stags are expensive. I can’t imagine buying that many knowing I’d lose most of them. When I bought my two, the guy warned me to keep them separate.

 

[Appalachickens]

I honestly don’t know. My experience is with Orientals, and even that is limited. I haven’t had luck with any coexisting while free ranging (under any circumstances).

Males that weren’t gamefowl were tolerated, as long as they didn’t pick fights.

Your space is likely much bigger, and has a lot more cover and forage options for them. Their ‘wild’ instincts might kick in and they could figure that they can work with sharing the land. I don’t think it would be totally unlikely. Unfortunately you won’t know for sure until/if you try it. I’ve seen a few photos of your gamefowl in the landrace thread, gorgeous birds. I really hope it will work out in the end.
Any mixes here have been able to coexist quite peacefully, so I think even the first generation crosses either the leghorns will be much more agreeable there

I’ve got 33 wooded acres so plenty of room to roam, but the one stag keeps wandering down to have a crow-off with the other outside his little shelter. I now have a run attached, so at least the cooped up one can get out during the day. I’ve decided to keep him there for the time being as my spare. Hopefully they will be producing some game/leghorn mixes soon!