Breed good at avoiding predators and good foragers?

[nicktide]

After raising Ameraucanas, and relising they have less than a bird brain. Last summer / fall I lost all of the ameraucanas and none of my other birds. Plus, they don't forage worth a darn. Not all bird were created equal.

My two biggest predators are hawks and this summer, I think it was a dog. Killed the birds and didnt eat them.

I have read that Dominiques are excellent avoiders of preditors and good at foraging but do not give as many eggs as other and arent as friendly (I have kids) as some. I was concidering barred rocks and black austrolorps, but I am finding mixed reports of their ability to avoid predators. I have a 4 year old BR that is still laying but she is the only br that I have owned. Not sure if this is normal.

what I am looking for...

1) avoids predators
2) forages. Plenty to eat around, if they look.
3) good layer
4) somewhat friendly- cant have a rooster attacking children.
5) not too loud- old rooster would crow in the middle of the night. He had to go.

Any Suggestions?

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Brown leghorns in my experience, they fly very well....I have a friend that has them and her dog killed all her chickens except the leghorns because they all flew up in the trees. Good luck!

Edited to add that they are also great foragers!

 

[Judy]

OEGB are known for foraging and avoiding danger

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Definitely don't pick breeds with feathers that block their vision, either. They need to be able to see.

 

[chicken crazed 1o1]

RLRs have been known to kill dogs, foxes i had a RLR hen that would attack my cat when it would come close . They are frendly to people.

 

[Illia]

1) avoids predators
2) forages. Plenty to eat around, if they look.
3) good layer
4) somewhat friendly- cant have a rooster attacking children.
5) not too loud- old rooster would crow in the middle of the night. He had to go.



Araucanas. Real ones, not Easter Eggers.

They're very good foragers, very protective of their flock, very intelligent, made great broody moms too, and their lack of tail allows a better escape from predators who often go for the tail. They're also great fliers, extremely cold and heat hardy, lay a lot of big bright blue eggs, and are very friendly! The roosters only crow when expected. (morning, sometimes in the middle of the day, and that is all) They're also a very good dual purpose breed, too, and provide plenty of breast meat!

Plus, who could resist something so different yet beautiful and graceful looking -

 

[gambler]

Quote:
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[hennyannie]

Alot of people near me have free ranging brown leghorns. They seem to keep outta trouble.

 

[Lbrad7]

Quote:
x2

X3...Brown Leghorns are about as good as it gets at foraging and avoiding predators. You also get a beautiful flock as a bonus!

 

[nicktide]

Thanks everyone. Brown leghorns may fit the bill. I had a white leghorn rooster (earlier meantioned) who was a great protector but couldn't keep him since my kids wouldnt go in the yard and I had to carry a stick or get flogged.

Not sure what breeds OEGB and RLR's are.