Breeds that make good foragers?

[KyBlue]

My Campines are by far the best around here at foraging and handling the heat. If you get the right strain (non-hatchery), they can also be decent meat birds.

 

[phasian]

There's a lot posted that I would agree with. My Naked Necks (highly efficient feed-to-lay ratio breed) are great, so too the Buckeyes, also my Iowa Blues. I only keep one Mediterranean breed right now and they are THE best at foraging- my Penedesenca. I also find my Orloffs, Chantecler, and Jaerhons (which I no longer keep- great birds though) are also very active, efficient foragers. The Modern Games are always on the move here.

All the breeds I keep have access to twenty acres that they seem to thoroughly enjoy running around on though they don't utilise anyone near all of it. My Silkies & Polish like to roam, but I wouldn't say they are efficient or travel very far. Ditto for the Marans.

My best foragers of all are my Indian Runner Ducks and Guinea Fowl.

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
Talk to cgmccary. He breeds Buckeyes in Alabama, and he doesn't have big problems with the heat.

 

[speckledhen]

My Delawares are right up there with my Rocks at foraging far and wide. They'd stay gone all day if I let them. They seem to suffer more in the heat than the Rocks, though, for some reason, but they keep on trucking.

 

[capayvalleychick]

Quote:
It's over 100 degrees for most of the summer, where I live, and the Buckeyes do fine. They are good foragers.

Kim

 

[tiki244]

Quote:
Once again; Buckeyes. They are the most active American breed - making them terrific foragers.

ditto and they are beautiful and friendly and make wonderful meat birds too.

ETA: I missed those last posts.

But seriously I dont have Buckeyes but do want some aometime. I think any breed can do well pretty much in any weather as long as they have the essentials of a good dust bath area, shade, and shelter. I have seen posts on open air coops for the winter even in places that are sub zero temperatures for many months each year. And also many people having small combed large birds in the *warmer* states. From what I know dominiques can be a bit skitish and standoffish. I heard Sussex are very curiose and friendly and a joy for personality. And I met some Buckeyes that were just wonderful! The main rooster came up and said Hi to me and so SHINY and beautiful. So probably a question of personal taste at this point.