Breeds to start with for insect control in an orchard?

[centrarchid]

I am not sure the chickens will have much interest in okra. Mine do not.

If coop offset from orchard, getting them to go to it will be a challenge. Many will go in other directions. They will put a dent in insect abundance to be sure but providing effective control may require getting birds to stay in orchard even when insect populations drop below those in surrounding areas.

 

[Digby57]

I think I'll plan to start by trying my hand at incubating some eggs of a standard meat breed. By the time I have those sorted out and grown to a butchering size I should have a better feel for what I want to do on a larger scale. At something like $6 per egg for American Game eggs I would be silly not to practice on something more economical in at least a limited number.

 

[Digby57]

I understand what you mean, but the property where the orchard will be is a few miles from my home. So this would just be a separate flock entirely. I intend to have a permiter fence and 2 large coops in the orchard. What I'm speaking of now would be a backyard type practice run, but with a large range to run on. I live on a different farm than the one I'm starting, long story.

 

[centrarchid]

You consider buying a trio of games through Craigslist. Some people will part with culls for a relatively small amount. You can keep those in parallel to your meat breed birds with potential for crossing later.

 

[Digby57]

I tried a few nearby cities on craigslist, but there were no American Game in my vicinity. I'll keep looking. Culls would be absolutely fine for my purpose.

 

[centrarchid]

Use search term "game hen". I came up with a few in heartland of Florida. Fifteen dollars each fair if birds raised already. You will likely invest more than that to raise the meat birds up to same level of maturity.

 

[Digby57]

But now a whole new can of worms! What would be a recommendation for a breed to think of for crossing with American game? If I was going to run these in parallel, as you put it, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have some reason for the meat bird selection as related to eventually crossing with the American Game, even if I end up not doing so.

 

[centrarchid]

Go with a dual purpose heritage breed. Choices at top of my list would be Black Java, American Dominique, and Buckeye. Get them from a breeder in your area. Your biggest concerns will not be acquiring chickens. Getting containment and predator management system in place will be far more demanding.

 

[Digby57]

I appreciate all your advice. Now I'm going to go fishing and think about it a while! Have a good one!