Picking some chickens

[Dfarago]

I have read through more forums then I can count and realized the best advice is direct advice. So my husband really wants some free range chickens to have run around In the yard. We have a three acre property and acknowledge that we might loose some to predators and the like. There’s some random spots where grass and weeds are growing (about a quarter acres worth scattered) but it’s mostly flat dirt. We don’t expect to gain anything from the chickens (eggs or meat). We mostly want them around to turn up the dirt in the yard and take care of random bugs and the like. So where’s the best place to start? Best breed, what do we need to provide to make them happy?

 

[Waz]

where do you live to start with

 

[Waz]

for a happy hen it needs a coop to sleep in at night. make it with a perch in as well. The love free ranging and will be extremely content just left to roam. it will also be alot cheaper for you for food as they wont eat as much. they will still need it though as it has the vitamins etc that they need. you might want a covered run area where they can go at winter and there is snow on the ground.
hope that helps

 

[aart]

where do you live to start with

Ditto Dat^^^

Welcome to BYC @Dfarago !
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Dfarago]

I live in the high desert in California. It almost never snows here, and when it does it doesn’t stick. It does get super hot though. But the house is on a well so water isn’t an issue.

 

[Waz]

I live in the high desert in California. It almost never snows here, and when it does it doesn’t stick. It does get super hot though. But the house is on a well so water isn’t an issue.

ok .....the hens will love it as long as you have a sheltered are for when it really is very hot as they don;t like too much heat..
but if they are free range they will like the heat for dustbathing and scratching around
hope that helps
deffo have a coop for the nights tho so they are protected

 

[Perris]

I have a similar reason for chicken-keeping, and have gone with (and would recommend) heritage breeds, particularly those with a reputation as good foragers, with good predator awareness, and robust health. I have Swedish Flowers, Araucanas, Norfolk Greys and a Rhode Island Red, which suit my environment. They give decent egg production (in a range of pastel colours), offer brilliant bug control and general soil conditioning, and I think they enjoy life as much as I enjoy watching them bustle around

 

[Dfarago]

Thank you for all of the great replies

 

[Dfarago]

Ditto Dat^^^

Welcome to BYC @Dfarago !
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1682846

Thank you for showing me this.

 

[Geena]

I have read through more forums then I can count and realized the best advice is direct advice. So my husband really wants some free range chickens to have run around In the yard. We have a three acre property and acknowledge that we might loose some to predators and the like. There’s some random spots where grass and weeds are growing (about a quarter acres worth scattered) but it’s mostly flat dirt. We don’t expect to gain anything from the chickens (eggs or meat). We mostly want them around to turn up the dirt in the yard and take care of random bugs and the like. So where’s the best place to start? Best breed, what do we need to provide to make them happy?

If you are not all that concerned with meat or egg production, want birds that free range well and are fairly savvy at avoiding predators, I would go with American Games.