Delaware - free Ranging question

[carousel]

We ordered 2 Delawares for a friend of mine because they were known to be pretty hardy birds in heat and cold.
I am now reading about white birds and free ranging - them being more of a "target".
Do you think this would apply to delawares?
anyone experienced free ranging Delawares?
thanks as always!
CS

 

[hcammack]

My delawares free range with the rest of the flock along with my leghorns they only get out for a few hours a day and I am fortunate because I have a pair of ravens nesting close by that keep hawks away. The only loss I have had is my campamine who was the most camoflouged bird ever to my neighbors dog. The white breeds seem good and delawares are great foragers. I think as long as you provide some cover and they are not in the middle of a large field which is not preffered free ranging areas usually any way you should be fine.

Good Luck the delaware is a great heritage breed,
Henry

 

[coopist]

Under bad circumstances, like lack of cover, any chicken on free range is a potential target. That being said, Delawares don't seem much worse off than any other breed. Mine do fine on free range with plenty of cover.

Best of luck.

 

[carousel]

thanks
the situation is like this.
the chicks will have a spacious covered fenced area I remember about 170 sf
the coop and fenced area is under trees.
the area they can range when my friend is home is in her horse paddock area, it is a mix of trees grass and sand/dirt.
thanks!
These 9 pullets will also have 1 rooster.
sounds good!
the delawares are only 3 weeks old but are the most bold of my little chicks.
(I also have some that are 7 weeks old)
Catherine