Looking for advice...

[meeko626]

Hi, I'm the Director of Agriculture at a golf course in Ohio. I've recently raised up a flock of 85 guinea fowl which were released to free range the property about a month ago. They are protected by 2 Jersey Giant cockerels, a Cornish cockerel, and a giant, feather-footed, mixed breed roo named Henry. Henry has done an absolutely fantastic job at protecting the entire flock (he ushers them all in at night, fought off a hawk, etc..) Anyway, the roosters have kind of split the guineas up into their own harems and I'm looking at getting hens next spring for them to breed. Basically, I want the hens to exhibit these traits:

1. Extremely capable of free ranging. We provide supplemental feed and water, but definitely want them to get most of their nutrition from the property. They are surrounded by bugs, clover, seeds, etc and have a creek about 60 yards from their barn.
2. Broodiness. We want a self-sustaining flock that can breed at a higher rate than predation (but we've made sure that the coyotes know what an AR does to them)

.
3. Cold hardiness. Its Ohio and the winters can get cold.
4. Awareness of their surroundings. This kind of goes with the free ranging aspect.

Basically I have it narrowed down to the Old English Games and the Moderns. Any suggestions for other breeds that fit the litmus test?

Thanks!!

 

[Isaac 0]

Buff Orpingtions are very broody,Cold Hardy,And decent free range birds

 

[henny1129]

Hmm, well, if I were you I would try to get your hands on some nice Buckeyes. While they're more rare, they're truly amazing birds and were originally created in Ohio so are great in all of our crazy weather! They're great free rangers/foragers and amazing brooders and mothers. Not to mention they are nice, big birds that can protect themselves. Hope this helps!

 

[henny1129]

Buff Orpingtions are very broody,Cold Hardy,And decent free range birds

Agree. Buff Orps are great all round birds, they also have amazing temperaments towards humans and other birds too.

 

[meeko626]

Hmm, well, if I were you I would try to get your hands on some nice Buckeyes. While they're more rare, they're truly amazing birds and were originally created in Ohio so are great in all of our crazy weather! They're great free rangers/foragers and amazing brooders and mothers. Not to mention they are nice, big birds that can protect themselves. Hope this helps!

I forgot about the buckeye. I almost got a hen for my home flock this past Spring. That pea comb could be great come winter time! Since our purposes aren't to show or anything, do you think that Meyer has a good enough quality stock?

 

[Isaac 0]

I need to get myself some next spring

 

[henny1129]

I forgot about the buckeye. I almost got a hen for my home flock this past Spring. That pea comb could be great come winter time! Since our purposes aren't to show or anything, do you think that Meyer has a good enough quality stock?

They're great birds! Oh yes, Meyer or MyPetChicken will be fine for your purposes.

I need to get myself some next spring:cd  

 

[aart]

Hi, I'm the Director of Agriculture at a golf course in Ohio. I've recently raised up a flock of 85 guinea fowl which were released to free range the property about a month ago. They are protected by 2 Jersey Giant cockerels, a Cornish cockerel, and a giant, feather-footed, mixed breed roo named Henry. Henry has done an absolutely fantastic job at protecting the entire flock (he ushers them all in at night, fought off a hawk, etc..) Anyway, the roosters have kind of split the guineas up into their own harems and I'm looking at getting hens next spring for them to breed. Basically, I want the hens to exhibit these traits:

1. Extremely capable of free ranging. We provide supplemental feed and water, but definitely want them to get most of their nutrition from the property. They are surrounded by bugs, clover, seeds, etc and have a creek about 60 yards from their barn.
2. Broodiness. We want a self-sustaining flock that can breed at a higher rate than predation (but we've made sure that the coyotes know what an AR does to them)

.
3. Cold hardiness. Its Ohio and the winters can get cold.
4. Awareness of their surroundings. This kind of goes with the free ranging aspect.

Basically I have it narrowed down to the Old English Games and the Moderns. Any suggestions for other breeds that fit the litmus test?

Thanks!!

Curious......well, it's only been a month but...no problems with them tearing up the greens or dust bathing in sand traps?

Do they have a secure coop to spend the nights in?

Do you think the Guineas will stay on the property....is the course in a populated area?

 

[lazy gardener]

Hi, I'm the Director of Agriculture at a golf course in Ohio. I've recently raised up a flock of 85 guinea fowl which were released to free range the property about a month ago. They are protected by 2 Jersey Giant cockerels, a Cornish cockerel, and a giant, feather-footed, mixed breed roo named Henry. Henry has done an absolutely fantastic job at protecting the entire flock (he ushers them all in at night, fought off a hawk, etc..) Anyway, the roosters have kind of split the guineas up into their own harems and I'm looking at getting hens next spring for them to breed. Basically, I want the hens to exhibit these traits:

1. Extremely capable of free ranging. We provide supplemental feed and water, but definitely want them to get most of their nutrition from the property. They are surrounded by bugs, clover, seeds, etc and have a creek about 60 yards from their barn.
2. Broodiness. We want a self-sustaining flock that can breed at a higher rate than predation (but we've made sure that the coyotes know what an AR does to them)

.
3. Cold hardiness. Its Ohio and the winters can get cold.
4. Awareness of their surroundings. This kind of goes with the free ranging aspect.

Basically I have it narrowed down to the Old English Games and the Moderns. Any suggestions for other breeds that fit the litmus test?

Thanks!!

My favorite bird fits all of your criteria, and is easy on the eye as well: Dominique. They are also a very gentle bird. Important for birds free ranging in a public area.

 

[meeko626]

Curious......well, it's only been a month but...no problems with them tearing up the greens or dust bathing in sand traps?

Do they have a secure coop to spend the nights in?

Do you think the Guineas will stay on the property....is the course in a populated area?

The worst that has happened is that they ate all the seed off a green when our superintendent tried to reseed. They have an old barn that they sleep in and have food and water in. This weekend I am going to chicken wire some of the windows in. The course is 260 acres and the furthest they have wandered is about 400 yards. They don't seem to have any interest in dusting in the sandtrap I think because there is a lot of loose soil right in front of their barn that they dust in and the sand traps are all in the open. It's been interesting to watch them interact with people! The golfers love it!