Free range breed advice

[LaurenRitz]

A friend of mine has a flock of entirely free range turkens. Her temperatures are pretty mild so I can't speak for that, but they just live in her woods. A couple times she thought they were gone, but they came back, unscathed.

She has hawks and feral dogs as predators.

 

[fluffycrow]

I’m pretty sure one of my hens died defending the rest of the flock from a raccoon. That’s what I mean about their temperament—they’re quite savvy and adaptable but they don’t take any nonsense either. I haven’t had any in a full-time free range situation besides this rooster but he taunted the new guy for weeks before they were out together and even though the Leghorn is twice his size he held his own. The first night I found the Leghorn beat up sleeping on the floor of the coop. Im not sure how they settled it but the Turken never lost a feather lol

Wow! That sounds pretty great. A few cockerels like that would would almost be able to stand up to a fox!
Certainly up to any older bully hens (which helps when raising chicks as well)

 

[fluffycrow]

A friend of mine has a flock of entirely free range turkens. Her temperatures are pretty mild so I can't speak for that, but they just live in her woods. A couple times she thought they were gone, but they came back, unscathed.

She has hawks and feral dogs as predators.

You guys are making a pretty convincing case for the Turkens . The birds we have here would definitely not be able to do that, so that’s quite admirable.

Do you know if the hens brood naturally and manage to raise broods successfully?

 

[Perris]

How do you feel about the naked neck of the Turken ?

I know nothing about them I'm afraid. I just wonder how their bare skin copes with the sun: does it burn? (Feathers provide insulation from the heat, just as well as the cold, I'd have thought.)

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I know nothing about them I'm afraid. I just wonder how their bare skin copes with the sun: does it burn? (Feathers provide insulation from the heat, just as well as the cold, I'd have thought.)

I have seen some very red-necked naked necks. We lived in Utah where it can get pretty hot in the summer and I will say I often wondered if they were getting a little sun burnt but it almost looked more flushed than actually burned if that makes sense.

I’m going to tag someone who I know also has some naked neck experience and might even have some free-range ones @KF0002 can you speak to Turken mothering skills?

Do you know if the hens brood naturally and manage to raise broods successfully?

 

[LaurenRitz]

You guys are making a pretty convincing case for the Turkens . The birds we have here would definitely not be able to do that, so that’s quite admirable.

Do you know if the hens brood naturally and manage to raise broods successfully?

No idea. Her birds were purchased last spring and she just never got around to building them a coop. If any have gone broody, she hasn't told me.

 

[fluffycrow]

I know nothing about them I'm afraid. I just wonder how their bare skin copes with the sun: does it burn? (Feathers provide insulation from the heat, just as well as the cold, I'd have thought.)

That’s a fair concern.
I know that any of the hens here that had somewhat bare backs last summer due to overbreeding didn’t seem to show any discomfort. Their skin was slightly more red than usual, but I didn’t observe any issues beyond that.
I imagine it works similarly for the Turkens, if not better, as it’s an established breed trait

 

[fluffycrow]

No idea. Her birds were purchased last spring and she just never got around to building them a coop. If any have gone broody, she hasn't told me.

I see. Even more impressive that they manage to survive so well at such a young age! Hopefully they brood soon