Best Free Range Chickens?

[Newchickenguy]

What breed of chicken is best in terms of free ranging in reguards to proctecing itself. I am looking for a chicken breed that is wild/smart enough to run from predators if it comes to it. I here that hybrid chickens will not run from predators where heirloom chickens will run. I may have that backwards. Could someone that is knowledgable about this plz recommend a breed for this, prefably one that lays well.

 

[JNB]

I can share my experience with my flock..... I have a mix of several breeds , The ones that seem to be the sharpest, defend them selves the most and have actually out smarted neighborhood dogs and coyotes on a few occasions . Have consistently been my Rhode Island Reds and my Plymouth Barred Rocks.

I Coop the hens up at night and the RIR and BR are the leaders of the 2 coops will often go root up an stragglers and usher them inside. If there is a predators around I am usually alerted by one of these 2 breeds long before the others and sometimes before the Dog alerts.

I also have found them to be very adaptable breeds, they don't moult or go broody too often they winter very well. I have given and sold a few chicks from my group and the feedback has been the same from the new owners. Low maintenance, hearty breeds.

 

[CatFishTony]

I can share my experience with my flock..... I have a mix of several breeds , The ones that seem to be the sharpest, defend them selves the most and have actually out smarted neighborhood dogs and coyotes on a few occasions . Have consistently been my Rhode Island Reds and my Plymouth Barred Rocks.

I Coop the hens up at night and the RIR and BR are the leaders of the 2 coops will often go root up an stragglers and usher them inside. If there is a predators around I am usually alerted by one of these 2 breeds long before the others and sometimes before the Dog alerts.

I also have found them to be very adaptable breeds, they don't moult or go broody too often they winter very well. I have given and sold a few chicks from my group and the feedback has been the same from the new owners. Low maintenance, hearty breeds.

please post pic of the rir in your flock for color .
thank you

 

[Debbie09011970]

I have found Australorp to be the best for us. They lay great, they free range, and they have some extra padding on their thighs so its harder for the chicken hawks to pick them up.

 

[McChooky]

What breed of chicken is best in terms of free ranging in reguards to proctecing itself. I am looking for a chicken breed that is wild/smart enough to run from predators if it comes to it. I here that hybrid chickens will not run from predators where heirloom chickens will run. I may have that backwards. Could someone that is knowledgable about this plz recommend a breed for this, prefably one that lays well.

I suggest you get a couple of these and cross them with heritage breed chickens .