No coop, best variety to let free range?

[PineTopFarm]

If your goal is bug control and not eggs and meat (I hear guinea eggs/meat are good to eat but don't know anyone that does) then I would go with guineas. Some folks also use ducks.

 

[gryeyes]

Here's a great reference: Henderson's Handy Dandy Chicken Chart at www.Ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.HTML

You will note it also lists whether a particular breed does well in confinement. Those that are not so inclined might be some for you to review.

My dock is mixed, all different breeds, large fowl and bantam, plus turkeys, ducks and geese. They all range freely and return to the coop at night. Sqme coop. (Well, the ducks and one goose stay out all night by the stock tank and kiddie pools.)

 

[McPhersonFarm]

Here's a great reference: Henderson's Handy Dandy Chicken Chart at www.Ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.HTML

You will note it also lists whether a particular breed does well in confinement. Those that are not so inclined might be some for you to review.

My dock is mixed, all different breeds, large fowl and bantam, plus turkeys, ducks and geese. They all range freely and return to the coop at night. Sqme coop. (Well, the ducks and one goose stay out all night by the stock tank and kiddie pools.)

Awesome thanks so much for the info!

 

[pascopol]

I am wanting to get some free range chickens in order to keep pests away around my house mainly and also in the yard. We have six acres and I was thinking I can build a coop only (no run) and let them free range and hopefully come in at night. So, my questions are this. Is their a particular breed that tends to stay close to the house and not roam as much? Should I leave them in the coop/pen for a month or so so they know that is their home?

My choice would be:

Game fowl (chickens used for fighting in the past) They are beautiful, hardy, excellent mothers, some are almost feral in nature, will survive on their own, generally gentle with people, can't have 2 cocks in the flock though.

Also Guinea hens, they will eat ticks, and any other bugs chickens will not touch. Some people claim they also control mice, rats, and snakes.

Guineas are precious birds, I love them, had them in the past, but my wife would not let me keep them cause they make screeching noise when something unusual happens, (warning).
Their meat is a delicacy , in my personal opinion Guinea meat is better than pheasant, and they are easier to keep than pheasants, cause they will come back home, pheasant need to be kept captive.

Consider Guineas !!!

They will roost on trees if you let them, but if raised from young they will learn to go to the coup at night.

 

[barbiegirl]

I say guineas aswell. They will eat the bugs. I had a bad tick problem, everytime I went to see my chickens I had a tick on me. They free rang well. Mine stay near my coop and don't go on the neighbor's property. They are great alarm systems too. My family eats the guinea eggs as well, 2 eggs equal 1 chicken egg.

 

[centrarchid]

American game / Old English game are handily the most effective chicken breed at all levels of free-range keeping for purpose of biological control of insects. They do not consume ticks as already noted nore do guinneas control ticks where I live despite their reputation. They defininantly impact insect abundance, especially those that are above ground garden pests. Insects not consumed are generally consumers of toxic plants which should not impast your use. They will also readily take advantage of protected roosts sites as you provide.