Free ranging certain breeds?

[OzarkChooks]

I have a flock of 25 that free range on over an acre. I have a variety of breeds. I was wondering if adding bantams or Polish chickens would be ok. I have heard Polish can't see well, does anyone let them free range? Do bantams integrate into standard sized flocks well?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I would not risk free ranging polish, standards or bantams. Their crests make them pretty much blind, even more so if they're bearded. My polish all are kept in a run only with other polish to help avoid bullying.

Bantams as a whole tend to do okay free ranging, but they'll be the first to get picked off usually by birds of prey.

If you want crested birds for free ranging, I suggest Spitzhaubens. They have a crest, but it's small and they can see almost as good as noncrested birds, so they aren't bullied usually

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I agree, I have both Polish and Silkies and a few other crested birds. They are only allowed to “free range“ under supervision.
Some bantams may integrate well with standard breeds, but I have not had good experience mixing the crested and bantam breeds with standards.
I keep 2 coops.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I have a Polish pullet who was hatched early October and I'm already having to trim some of her feathers around her eyes. If I crouch down beside her I have to put my hand down below her face otherwise she doesn't even notice I'm there. I have no doubt that if something wanted to eat her she wouldn't even know it until they had their claws or teeth in her.

 

[NatJ]

Do bantams integrate into standard sized flocks well?

Bantams and standards can work fine.

Many bantams have traits that could be problem when free ranging:
crests (block vision)
muff/beard (big ones block vision)
feathered feet (long feathers make it hard to walk or run; little feathers are fine)
short legs (make it harder to walk or run: these are found on Japanese Bantams)
strange feathers (Silkies and Frizzles get cold and wet more easily, and cannot fly)

If you choose bantams that just look like chickens, they will probably do well enough ranging with your standards.

Because they are smaller, bantams are easier for a predator to grab. But because they are smaller, bantams are more likely to actually fly. So whether they survive better or worse will depend on what predators are trying to catch them, and on how the individual bantams act.

Broodiness varies from one hen to another, but bantams do tend to go broody at a higher rate than most standard-sized breeds. So you might want to think about that before getting them (broodiness can be good or bad depending on what goals you have for your flock.)

 

[OzarkChooks]

I guess I will have to wait for Polish. So far the only predators I have are birds of prey...and they go for my chicks. I have 6 Brahmas and I wasn't sure if they would hurt/bully bantams if I brought some in. Buy maybe I should wait until I have a separate run. Would hate for hawks to take all the bantams

 

[Silkie fluff butts]

I have a flock of 25 that free range on over an acre. I have a variety of breeds. I was wondering if adding bantams or Polish chickens would be ok. I have heard Polish can't see well, does anyone let them free range? Do bantams integrate into standard sized flocks well?

We have Silkies and we trim their crests. Not a big deal. I ordered dog grooming scissors that are small, with blunt tips. It's a 2 person job, after dark, when they are all in for the night. That said, I don't feel that they are too aware of danger in their surroundings. We have keep them in a smaller yard with bushes for cover. They do great in that setting.