Can Size of Chickens deter predators?

[Floppy Pheasant]

I've raised bantams ....which were annihilated by predators,I've started raising Brahmas ...by their incredible size seems to deter predators ....does size matter?

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I have a Brahma hen, and as she is head mistress of the flock I believe depends on the predator and birds attitude.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

That depends on what kind of predators you're dealing with. I find that my heavy set chickens such as English Orpingtons and Brahmas seem to be less likely to fall victim to a hawk but it's not likely to make a difference to a coyote, fox, raccoon, etc.

 

[aart]

Depends on the size of the predator .....and how hungry they are.
Might make some difference, but not much.
I would think bantams are more flighty and faster,
the brahma I've had were clumsy bumblers, not moving fast anywhere.

 

[Shadrach]

I've raised bantams ....which were annihilated by predators,I've started raising Brahmas ...by their incredible size seems to deter predators ....does size matter?

Deter, probably not. Increase risk for the predator, maybe.

 

[50-45-1]

No
Chickens are defenceless and all fall victom to a multitude of preditors.
A big Mac or a burger from the dollar menu?
How hungry are you? How many kids are you feeding?
Coyotes take out turkeys and baby deer.
Your larger chickens are slower and less agile. at least some bantams can fly for a distance.
A secure coop and run are your best defence.

 

[Mrs. K]

While I have never had bantams, I have tried numerous other theories in predator protection. Truthfully, nothing is fool proof. I had white chickens - yeah, huge predator bait, but now I am not so sure if it was the demeanor or the color.

Currently I have darker colored flock except for a new OEG, I think, faster than lightening, and actually survived for a week on her own, before I got her captured again.

Many people do not think so, but a mature rooster will really help me for lowering daytime predation, but again, it depends on the rooster. Some are MUCH better than others. You need one that is the first to see you, when you approach the set up, and one that can get between you and the hens. So you want one that is aware, but not human aggressive. A tricky combination.

I think owls, hawks, and coyotes are my biggest daytime predators. We have cattle, and when the yearlings are in the same pasture as the chickens, I almost never have day time predation, I think the coyotes don't like the yearling cattle.

The best solution is a very good fence. But I swear coons can find ANY weakness.

I keep a flock and have lost a lot of birds, and added a lot of birds. As my granddaughter says, "Well this is the circle of life... and now we can get new chicks." A bit heartless to some, but doable to us.

Mrs K

 

[quackersandfern]

No. Predators will still go after your chickens. Chickens are very vulnerable to many predators. You will need to protect them.

 

[Roo5]

Risk the chances,coyotes probably will still do it with a ease,a fox would probably have to work a bit harder and faster, Brahmas are big birds and can be quite a bit too carry for a small fox.Hawks have never been an issue, they have defiantly tried but personally I don’t think a hawk can carry off a Brahma, owls will kill birds and eat them within the area if not capable of carrying off,Ive had cats and huge Muscovy ducks killed by owls, at one point they were our worse predator.Coyotes, never been an issue, foxes and thats pretty much it.

 

[keesmom]

A hawk got one of our Brahma hens a couple months ago. It all depends on how hungry your predators are.