Best breed for running around in the backyard...

[AZ Heat]

I'm toying with the idea of getting a chicken to just let run around in the back yard. We live in the city and have a coop with a run that we keep the rest of the chickens in. But I'm thinking about maybe getting another chicken to eat the bugs and just let run free. It doesn't have to be a great egg layer, but just does good eating bugs and being a good chicken

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What are your recommendations and why?

 

[Mahonri]

Chickens will tear up your yard... even 1.

I've been letting my 11 week old chicks out for an hour each evening and they've really been tearing into my garden.

The ones that really go after bugs is the Salmon Faverolle pullet and the Ancona pullet... and they are FAST!... I've seen them eat numerous flies!

 

[AZ Heat]

Would maybe a very small breed be a better choice?

 

[BellLisamo]

hi there! I am in Tombstone Arizona and i have all sorts of chickens. I figure they all will adjust to the temperature, just like any other living creature. I wouldnt look for a specific breed, i even have polish (who are said to not take cold weather well) that play in the snow and are fine. So its all up to you as to what you want to get.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Cochins are great if you have kids- they're super docile, but don't take heat well. Banties would probably be good- they still eat lots of bugs without doing too much damage. They are also easier/cheaper to house, feed & clean up after. No matter what you get- make sure they have a secure coop to spend the night in, and a place for shade/shelter from hawks. Even in the city there are predators.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

As long as they have water and shade, any breed will do fine, although I would not bring in a new bird who wasn't used to the heat and toss them out in this weather--gradual adjustment as the season progresses works fine. I have silkies & polish and cochins and various crosses running free in the backyard at different times. They actually seem to tolerate the heat better when running free than when penned/caged. I donlt put babies outside until they are older at this time of year.

People up north have to worry about winter weather--we have to worry about the summer.

Misters help tremendously as does watering the ground so that they can have a damp dirt bath.

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

What about just a pretty mixed breed. Or maybe a game, they are good foragers.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Games are wonderful foragers, plus they are great broodies.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Birds good at foraging are also particularly good at eating the scorpions

 

[hikerchick]

Let's face it. All chickens are marvellous.