Foragers...who's good and who's not?

[catdaddy66]

I researched all of the breeds I ordered and tried to get birds that are pretty self sufficient. What breeds have you noticed are some of the best foraging birds available? I want them to supplement thier diet outdoors (controlled range, not free) in order to save on feed and give them a more natural and happy existence. Thanks for the knowledge

 

[elem]

I only have hybrids for now but my red stars are way better foragers than black stars or isa browns. The reds start eating grass and digging for bugs at the edge of garden beds and fences right away and the others are still in the coop eating or just standing looking around.

 

[Charlene]

Well this isn't a very large sampling but I have 2 BR and 2 SLW and the BR's are definately better foragers. One of them in particular is awesome, so I don't know if it's an individual thing or a breed thing.

 

[Mahonri]

Best foragers in my flock:

1. Light Brown Leghorn. She could live without layer feed and give me a big white egg laid in the bushes every day.

2. Light Partridge EE. not quite as good as the above and she'd still need supplemental feed cuz she's so tiny and lays such a large egg.

3. Cinnamon Queen, , BBL Polish, Pearl White Leghorn and CA White Leghorn. They are good too. and my BWA roo is good at helping to find food for his girls and calling them in to eat it and to ruffle feathers. :0)

4. Salmon Faverolle and Speckled Sussex and Barred Rock... these girls are equally good but they waste time doing dust baths when free ranging.

The rest of my girls are so/so... Delaware, various EEs, Ameraucanas, Maran, etc..

 

[Happy Chooks]

My EE and my buttercup are my best foragers. The welsummers appear to have potential. (too young yet to let them free range)