Feral chickens

[stoneunhenged]

You might want to check out the scientific studies done on feral chickens by Dr. Lehr Brisbin. Interesting stuff. Basically, small and dark helps the survivability. The closer you get to an authentic red junglefowl, the more likely that the bird will survive.

I once crossed a grey junglefowl with an Ameraucana. The chicks could fly like pheasants and roosted 80' up in the pine trees.

 

[welasharon]

There has been a feral flock around the neighborhood for 15 yrs or so...now down to just one rooster. Something got his two hens and now he has taken up with my flock. At night he goes to roost way up in some pine trees at the edge of the yard. Every morning he comes to the house, in the picket fence, and comes up on the front porch to call me out to let the girls out. I wish he would stay in the pen at night with them but he has been out too long. I am afraid something is going to get him too but at least he isn't hampered by defending any hens. Once I enticed him in the pen (I have open air pens) and he nearly killed himself trying to get out.
sharon

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Yep, I'd probably have to go with game breeds, for the reasons mentioned before. They are fast, good fliers, good camouflage, plus the mothering instincts of the hens. Perhaps for something really intimidating, the Asian game breeds like shamos? But I don't know if they are good fliers or not.

I know they'd scare the pants off of me if I happened upon an angry "stag".

 

[cubakid]

There were shamos in my area of CA that were taken down by a little weasle. Id go with sumatras, gamefowl, araucanas, or maybe a buttercup even. Some Mediterranean breeds are flighty and esily spooked, and if not raised by humans they will usually not be tame. if you had lots foliage and trees around they will usually do well. i believe you said they would be in a vineyard, wich would give them a place to brood during the late spring (California time for the grapes in my area) . just my views... and Illia made good sence with the tailless aruacanas defence mechanism.
Zach

 

[Illia]

Shamos are not a good idea. They can jump-fly pretty well but not actually fly, plus they have special needs for their growth and they have special warmth needs. American type Gamefowl is what I'd eye if I were to go with Gamefowl. They're very similar to the original Junglefowl. American Quechua are another good choice. (where today's Easter Eggers originated)

 

[joe17]

This is such an interesting thread! I would go with something that can fly/jump VERY high so that they can at least have a safe place to sleep. I think that's when they would be the most vulnerable. You said you prefer brown eggs. If they are feral chickens, how do you plan on collecting the eggs? Will you still have nest boxes and feeders or will they be completely wild?

 

[waterouzel]

I didn't explain my situation clearly. I don't expect them to be completely feral but as wild and self-sufficient as possible. I keep them for insect control, weed control around my vineyard irrigation emitters, fresh eggs, manure for compost, and just for fun, not necessarily in the order of importance. I have a safe coop with an automatic door opener where they roost and lay eggs though they sometimes lay in the vineyard. I've discouraged them from roosting in trees as the Great-horned Owls get them here. Also, to collect the maximum amount of manure I need a roost over wire. Presently I'm down to three americanas and one welsummer. I'm looking into all the breeds mentioned and I can see already that acquiring araucanas could be difficult and/or expensive.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Ian

 

[BookWorm243]

Araucanas are a great choice. I must say tho hamburgs are great at taking care of themselves.

 

[saladin]

Quote:
This being the case then I would suggest Games or Oriental Games; particularly Asil. The Asil is the smartest chicken I've ever raised of this entire group. None other can compare with the Asil for general intelligence.

 

[cubakid]

Then i would suggest having a coop that they will lay eggs in because they probably wont lay eggs in findable places. they will most likely hide them in shrubbery or in a hard place to get to.