Polish cross - should I let him free range?

[The Lisser]

I have a Polish/cochin cross (my best guess, anyway) who is gorgeous and very sweet. He is a roo and approximately 9 weeks old. As he continues to feather out, I am more worried that he can't see due to his head feathers! My original plan with my 10 chickens was to let them start free ranging on our 10 acre farm once they are full grown, and close them in their coop at night. However, since "Liberace" can't see much and is pure white to boot, I'm afraid he's going to be an easy target for hawks, etc. To the Polish owners out there - do you let your birds free range?

I am thinking about trying to build a small chicken tractor for Liberace and maybe one or two hens, to keep him safe. I don't want to lose him to a predator.

Thanks for any advice.

Melissa

 

[LilPeeps]

He is a silkie mix. I would not let him free range without your supervision. Being white, he will be easily seen by predators, and not being able to see them coming, he will be an easy meal.

 

[Illia]

That isn't a Polish cross, but a Silkie cross.

I don't own Silkies (and never would allow them in our climate) but with Polish, yes, we free range ours, granted their crests have been clipped near the eyes. If I were you, yes, I'd build him a tractor or something.

 

[LilPeeps]

Quote:
Silkies actually do very well in northern climates.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
Silkies actually do very well in northern climates.

There's a difference between "northern climates" and "stuck in an average 120 inches of rain a year, and a foot of mud. . . "

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

He could well be a silkieXpolish, but I do agree, not a cochin cross. A tractor or a portable run with netting on top made from some sort of mesh or welded wire fencing will protect him from hawks. Depending on other predators in your area (bobcats, raccoons, coyotes, etc.) and whether or not you already have a secure perimeter, that may not be sufficiently safe.

 

[V Comb]

Deffinately not a Polish Cochin, but he's very cute.

And I agree with SS about the chicken tractor.