Feral chickens

[joe17]

What about leghorns? I hear those are quite flighty.

 

[Wifezilla]

A couple of Africa Geese body guards might not be a bad idea no matter what kind of chicken you end up with.

 

[joe17]

Or guineas... Is your land fenced off? Get a donkey!

 

[tls_ranch]

You might also want to consider the fact that free range chickens WILL eat all your grapes. You will have to keep the chickens out of the vineyard while you have grapes on the vine or at least during the months between fruit set and harvest.

 

[waterouzel]

You might also want to consider the fact that free range chickens WILL eat all your grapes.

Doesn't happen. I've had chickens free ranging in my vineyard for 3 years now and they eat very few grapes, even when they're ripe at 25% sugar. I suffer more damage from pileated woodpeckers. The vines are on a trellis system that keep the bunches 42" off the ground. I think there is so much else to distract them that they never make the effort to go after the grapes. I have an organic farm with lots of plants growing on the vineyard floor. Wild turkeys that fly into the vineyard are another matter and I really have to get after them.

Other animals that might scare away predators (geese, donkey, goats, etc.) would damage the vines. I could always keep dogs but that's a hassle I'm trying to avoid. I don't mind loosing a hen occassioally I only want to keep the kind that will have the best shot at survival. Looking forward to see how the Fayoumis do.

Ian​

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Quote:
Hi! Sorry for the 'derail'...
Are there still wild chickens in the swamp at Savannah River Site here in SC?

Lisa

 

[racuda]

Quote:
Yes, Guineas would be good. There are some feral colonies of Guineas.

 

[pinkyglory123]

I have been wrestling with the same problem-100 acres and racoons and foxes and possums oh my-just decimating my flock. Originally I was drawn to the heavier breeds-I had orpingtons, marans, jersey giants, sussex, New Hampshires and easter eggers.They went throught those like a knife goes through butter. Of course there are individuals who still manage to survive-my EE rooster, one New Hampshire and one Buff Orpington and one incredible white cochin. oh and one EE hen.(is there a more unlikely survivor than that standard white cochin?!)

I nows have five month old dark cornish, fayoumis and silver spangled hamburgs. So far they-and the survivors seem better suited for my set up. They spend lots of time under the cover of the buildings and trees and shrubs. I also have a coop with auto door (the best two hundred bucks I have spent in a long time!)

Oh and I do have four five month old geese-they are quietly bossy of the chickens and cats and find it hard to believe anyone would risk a covert attack among the racket they make.

Recently I ordered ten more pullets-silver lakenvelders, more dark cornish and anconas. We will see how things hash out. I think this is a common dilema for many.

 

[Redcatcher]

When I first moved into my house, there was a flock of feral chickens that were living in assorted buildings out back that were falling down. Being in the northeast, I found that rather impressive. They foraged during the day and returned to the buildings at night to roost. Likely for generations. They looked like gamefowl crossed with Ameraucanas. One night I had to bright idea to lock them all up for their own protection. The next morning I found them all beheaded except for two. Those two would never go back into the buildings after that. They roosted way up in the trees. Since they were both hens, it would have been the end of the line so I gathered up as many eggs as I could and incubated them. I still have their descendents to this day but they have been crossed with other chickens. Bear in mind that no matter what breeds you have or how many you have, there is always going to be a critter or critters out there that can wipe them all out in one go.

 

[Gullygarden]

Whether "true" or not, we do have feral chickens in Hawaii. Mostly on Kauai, where the mongoose introduction was initially foiled by a sensible man who knew what they would do to the native birds and tossed the crate of mongoose in the harbor when they arrived.My point, however, is that they thrive where there is cover - dense underbrush and trees. If you have that, you have some chance. Here our main predators are dogs, and they are a real problem. I gave up my free range dreams and got an electric mesh run.see my byc page.