Best Breed for Free ranging

[halefamily_flock]

All of my breeds have reputations for being good free rangers, and I've been selling off any less capable birds. In practice, I would say my Spitzhauben roosters have been our best flock protectors/warning against hawks, etc. My Cream Legbar rooster is also a good leader. The most alert/savvy hens are: Dominique, Welsummer, Welsummer-Legbar crosses (olive eggers), and Dominique-Spitzhauben crosses. Hamburgs seem to be able to take care of themselves due to being extremely flighty, but they're really not team players and don't contribute to the overall hardiness of the flock. Speckled Sussex are good, but can be a bit careless and also tend to be loners. The only one I've ever lost to a hawk was a Sussex hen, and that hawk has been coming around regularly since the attack a couple of months ago.

 

[Newyorkrita]

All of my breeds have reputations for being good free rangers, and I've been selling off any less capable birds. In practice, I would say my Spitzhauben roosters have been our best flock protectors/warning against hawks, etc. My Cream Legbar rooster is also a good leader. The most alert/savvy hens are: Dominique, Welsummer, Welsummer-Legbar crosses (olive eggers), and Dominique-Spitzhauben crosses. Hamburgs seem to be able to take care of themselves due to being extremely flighty, but they're really not team players and don't contribute to the overall hardiness of the flock. Speckled Sussex are good, but can be a bit careless and also tend to be loners. The only one I've ever lost to a hawk was a Sussex hen, and that hawk has been coming around regularly since the attack a couple of months ago.
View attachment 2493262

A pretty flock!!!