Looking for advice...

[henny1129]

Sorry for your losses...it would be a tough job for a bird to ward off coyotes.

X2! Very brave of Henry to take on the coyotes though!

 

[rdcowman]

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!!

Rhode island red's! There very friendly, and cold hardy! They are great for free ranging too.

 

[lazy gardener]

Never met a RIR that wasn't a nasty tempered foul! (spelling error intended) Though I hear that the heritage RIR are much better tempered.

 

[N F C]

Never met a RIR that wasn't a nasty tempered foul! (spelling error intended) Though I hear that the heritage RIR are much better tempered.

I actually had 2 RIR's that were wonderful, they were well-behaved, good layers and one of them was extremely affectionate (especially toward DH, they were great buddies). Maybe I just got lucky!

 

[lazy gardener]

I actually had 2 RIR's that were wonderful, they were well-behaved, good layers and one of them was extremely affectionate (especially toward DH, they were great buddies). Maybe I just got lucky!

And, that is exactly why one can't generalize about any particular breed. I'm thankful that there are so many breeds to choose from!

 

[aart]

Quote: No kidding!
I just drop my forehead to the table and groan when I see, frequently ......
......."all red chickens are evil, kill them"(obviously paraphrased and exaggerated - but not by much)