Best chicken breed for tick control?

[J.Bird]

Thanks for your answer! However the noise is something that will not be tolerated - the neighbours will surely be angry..

Oh, okay! Good luck finding the right bird!

 

[perchie.girl]

any chicken that is a good forager would be a good choice.... they will be a bit flighty and not so friendly.... Which is good if they are out "hunting bugs"

Too bad you cant do Guineas.... I loved mine....

With regard to questions It is very helpful to know your general location. Because there is a HUGE base of people that can help.... but knowing your location is helpful finding the answers.

Welcome to BYC From the San Diego High Desert...

deb

 

[Quik1th]

any chicken that is a good forager would be a good choice.... they will be a bit flighty and not so friendly.... Which is good if they are out "hunting bugs"

Too bad you cant do Guineas.... I loved mine....

With regard to questions It is very helpful to know your general location. Because there is a HUGE base of people that can help.... but knowing your location is helpful finding the answers.

Welcome to BYC From the San Diego High Desert...

deb

I believe OP said Latvia- in Europe.

 

[1cock2hens]

I have heard good things about old english game bantams being good tick eaters// any game breed will be good and it's a misconception that they are all "mean". from what i understand most game breeds in europe have had the gameness bred out of them.

 

[perchie.girl]

I believe OP said Latvia- in Europe.

Oh sorry I tend to look in the info block on the side.... my bad

 

[kittycat1356]

In my experience /certain/ bantams do really well at controlling bugs. Not too sure how they would do in the cold though.

Most chickens are pretty decent foragers though ( at least all mine are) I’d try for maybe less stocky breeds?

 

[varidgerunner]

Games are the friendliest chickens that exist. They have been bred for handling ability for centuries. They also have all of their instincts intact. Their instincts usually make them outperform guineas for free range, self replicating rolling tick control. They will reach feral epidemic levels if you let them. Guineas need a very dry climate to raise chicks free range, and they are horrendously aggravating to have around. They aren't the most friendly with other chickens, but not that much different than any other chicken. Adult males of any breed will fight. Unfamiliar females will fight. The only difference is that games don't quit, once they start a squabble. But absolutely no more prone to start trouble. Toward people they can develop very strong bonds, some even what you could call loving. Unless it is a hen with chicks, she will kill you.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Hello everyone!

I am new here and am looking for the best chicken breed which will eat ticks.
We have a lot of ticks here and therefore are looking for ways to get rid off them.

Haven't had any experience with chickens before.

The main favorable traits for the desired breed would be foraging skill, friendliness and tolerance of low temperatures in the winter as it sometimes gets around -20°C (-4°F) here. Egg production is just a bonus and not the reason for owning chickens for us at the moment. Friendliness is desired due to having small children around. And they would be completely free ranging.

Guinea fowl was my first pick however their noisiness would cause problems (kids having naps, neighbours are not that far away).

I have looked through similar threads however where I'm from (I'm from Latvia, Europe), we don't have a lot of breeds that are being talked about here. I am currently looking at the Dominique, Sussex and Sebright breeds.
Welcome to BYC . Doms are a heritage breed and may be your best at foraging. sussex will handle your cold temps the best and seabrights are bantam sized and on the flighty side.

What can you recommend for the most suitable chicken breed for our case?

Welcome to BYC . Doms are a heritage breed and may be your best at foraging. sussex will handle your cold temps and pretty calm friendly birds and seabrights are bantam sized and on the flighty side. sussex come in a wide color variations and a favorite of mine. Any chicken will eat ticks . I dont think one is better then others. When you worry about the children being hurt its normally always the rooster protecting his flock doing the attacking. I never had doms so dont know a lot about them but they must be wonderful birds. They have been around a very long time. My personal fav. is the sussex . Did I say that twice ? LOL

 

[xXStringbeanXx]

I have heard lots of great things about the Speckled Sussex. I know of owners who keep them easily in the winters around here and we regularly get colder weather than you mention. From other owners of them, all I hear about is how good tempered and loving they are. I’m sad I didn’t know that before I got my first chicks started, but I guarantee you that I will be getting some next order. Plus they are gorgeous birds.

 

[Trish1974]

Do you have access to sex-links in your area? I have a golden comet, a type of red sex link, and she shows a more voracious appetite and better foraging skills than my other breeds. She also seems to search out more bugs and worms than the other ones. They would definitely meet your need for good egg laying. She's also very quite - rarely sings an egg song.