Can Chickens Sustain Themselves?

[Salt and Light]

I have free ranging leghorns and a couple freedom ranger hens. Just out of curiosity, is it practical for these birds to successfully thrive on free range only? I have 5 acres of woods/grass.

 

[Judy]

Miami and Key West, among many other places, have many feral chickens. They survive. I don't know that they thrive.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
My thoughts too.

 

[donrae]

They'll survive, as mentioned. Egg production may be impaired, and weight gain would be slow, if those things are of interest to you. Many folks who free range and offer feed report their birds don't seem to eat a lot of feed, but it is there and a nice backup in case the bird has an "off" day scratching around.