Old ways corn raised chickens

[CindyinSD]

Interesting discussion. I’m very inexperienced in chickens so am following with a lot of interest. My observation at present with five week old pullets is that in the several days since they’ve been brave enough to venture out of their coop into their brand new, still green yard, they’ve been eating significantly less of the fermented feed I customarily give them. Eventually, when they’re full grown, my plan is to have them follow my cows around the pasture rotation (lagging by a few days to allow wigglies to begin to grow in all that fertile cow poop). I’m hoping they’ll be able to forage everything they need in that way—at least during the warmer months.

 

[CindyinSD]

oh yes... I got an assortment including Black Australorps, Buff Orpingtons, Colombian and Silver-Laced Black Wyandottes and Dominiques.

 

[EggWalrus]

They might not have been bred for free range performance and I'm by no means fluent in chicken genetics, but I am speaking from my own experiences. My flock thrives while free ranging.

Sounds like we have quite a few of the same breeds. I have noticed that all of my game birds are always fatter and have bullet proof eggs compared to the rest. They all forage from daylight till dark and I also feed them about 20 lbs (half bag) of laying feed/scratch a day too.
Even the half game hybrids do better too. There are also wild swamp chickens (American Game, RJF, Shamo, Malay mixes) running around in the woods and swamp that only forage and the ones I've caught are usually healthier/fatter/more solid than my birds.
Some birds/breeds are just better at thriving without human assistance.

 

[LulaBell]

Tractor supply and at the local livestock auction.

I purchased my first flock of 13 from tractor supply. As chicks they ate a TON! Once they got older and were put in the big coop we let them free range. They were out daylight to dark and put up at night. While free ranging they really didn’t eat much feed. It was always provided but they preferred to forage. I’m not sure I feel that it is where you get your chicks from, but more so where they get to forage. The age that you acquire your birds and start them free ranging may also play a role. Good luck to you!

 

[Mitsos Lamprogiorgos]

I mainly used to use leghorns.
But, I would like to use a meat bird too, like orpington and jersey giant breed.

 

[AudieWarren]

Sounds like we have quite a few of the same breeds. I have noticed that all of my game birds are always fatter and have bullet proof eggs compared to the rest. They all forage from daylight till dark and I also feed them about 20 lbs (half bag) of laying feed/scratch a day too.
Even the half game hybrids do better too. There are also wild swamp chickens (American Game, RJF, Shamo, Malay mixes) running around in the woods and swamp that only forage and the ones I've caught are usually healthier/fatter/more solid than my birds.
Some birds/breeds are just better at thriving without human assistance.

yeah totally!!! I have plenty of pasture and wooded areas. In the early morning and evenings they roam the grasslands. During the height of the day, they prefer the woods.... Heck I would too. Shade is just as important as water in the south. I introduce my chicks to the grass early. We make a collapsible chick pen and when it's warm enough outside we let them explore for a couple of hours. Watching bitties chase grasshoppers is the life!!! I think this helps helps set them up for good foraging skills. Look at humans. Children introduced to veggies and outside play at a younger age tend to grow up active and still eating veggies. Children cooped up in the house with loads of snacks tend to grow up not eating healthy with minimal activity levels. You don't just throw them out and expect them to do it. You have to the mother hen in the early stages. Instincts will kick in in the right environment.

 

[AudieWarren]

My turkeys on the other are straight up pigs. On top of being active foragers, they just love to eat. 14 turkeys and 4 who are allowed to free range still eat a 50lb bag of feed in about a week.

Just noticed my typing this one! 14 turkeys and 4 guineas who are all free range

 

[JedJackson]

Which are the breeds that can thrive best when the feed is just cheap corn and pasture?

There are a lf variables involved here.

I'd definitely give Icelandics a go if you are mainly interested in eggs. These are renowned for their foraging ability and their tolerance of cold and heat. They are also great flyers and very good at avoiding predators. These birds, until recently, were raised on farms in Iceland where they got most of their sustenance from forage.

Penedesencas would also be a great choice if you want dark brown eggs.

Games and game mixes will do great on good forage.

For dual purpose birds, be choosy. Rhode Island reds, Buckeyes, and Dominiques are good choices. They are small and quick enough to avoid most predators, and plenty big enough to eat. Any of these breeds mixed with game fowl will make good foragers who lay reasonably well and will be good to eat.

Avoid birds with lots of white in their plumage.

 

[EggWalrus]

yeah totally!!!
You don't just throw them out and expect them to do it. You have to the mother hen in the early stages. Instincts will kick in in the right environment.

You got that right!
I have a couple dozen biddies following mommas around on the ground and trying to catch any bug that moves.
There's nothing like ChickenTV! Get your lawn chair, a big ole jar of iced tea and watch the babies having fun learning. It's like some kind of therapy!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

.... For dual purpose birds, be choosy. Rhode Island reds, Buckeyes, and Dominiques are good choices. They are small and quick enough to avoid most predators, and plenty big enough to eat. Any of these breeds mixed with game fowl will make good foragers who lay reasonably well and will be good to eat.... Avoid birds with lots of white in their plumage.

The advice to avoid birds... "with lots of white in their plumage" is not worth much. The color white was selected for because the white pen feathers were not as visible to your mothers and grandmothers as red, black breasted red, or any other color chicken feathers. Less you forget, when sitting in Kroger's cooler a dressed chicken that sported red feathers will look like it has 5:00 Clock shadow, but a white chicken will look clean shaven.