Raising chicks to be wild

[BrownEggsSouth]

Okay I think this is the right place to post this. I've been looking at all the forums for thirty minutes trying to figure it out.

Anyways I'm thinking of hatching some of our free ranging hens eggs. I want to raise them to be Wild. We have nine acres of land that are mostly predator free thanks to our dogs. I want to raise them to know how to survive in the wild. I'm doing this to see what would happen after a few generations.

 

[auroaSfarm]

Well, first of all GOODLUCK honestly its a lot of work for hens and you have to keep an eye on them while they brood like push water to them and food but its possible i would think to let them be wild and free.

 

[SueT]

What breed(s) are they? The game breeds, the jungle fowl, brown leghorn white leghorn too, all have the instincts and temperament for survival better than heavy breed docile chickens.

 

[JShubin]

Okay I think this is the right place to post this. I've been looking at all the forums for thirty minutes trying to figure it out.

Anyways I'm thinking of hatching some of our free ranging hens eggs. I want to raise them to be Wild. We have nine acres of land that are mostly predator free thanks to our dogs. I want to raise them to know how to survive in the wild. I'm doing this to see what would happen after a few generations.

Do you have a breed already? The starting breed would be the biggest factor. Having slow, non flying hens who dont brood (like Cochins, Rhode Island Reds, etc) wont work in my opinion. Take way too long for natural selection to work its magic.

I have gamefowl and they have been free ranging on my property for almost 10 years, hatching in wild and getting eaten by coyotes and dogs, etc... but they keep trucking. Great flyers and good mamas. Rooster(s) are flock watchers and keep an eye on things while everyone is foraging for food. Very athletic and wild at heart (but tamable).

 

[JShubin]

Some free rangers

 

[BrownEggsSouth]

I can't decide

I'm thinking about bantams or gamefowl

I just don't know where I would buy them or what breed of gamefowl/bantam

 

[junebuggena]

I like Easter Eggers for a free-range flock. Great flyers, good camouflage, excellent foragers. Regardless, you should be prepared for losses. Without a secure coop for nighttime, it won't be long till you don't have any birds left. Chickens have horrible night vision and racoons and coyotes LOVE to eat chicken.

 

[JShubin]

I like Easter Eggers for a free-range flock. Great flyers, good camouflage, excellent foragers. Regardless, you should be prepared for losses. Without a secure coop for nighttime, it won't be long till you don't have any birds left. Chickens have horrible night vision and racoons and coyotes LOVE to eat chicken.

yep. terrible night vision. And yep expect losses!

My chickens sleep high in the trees out of reach of coyotes, but can be gotten by climbing predators (like raccoons). Having dogs on your yard will help. My dogs protect from most predators (but my dogs have also killed a lot of my chickens, catch 22). selecting right dog is key. I have German Shepherds.. the female can be chicken killer at times.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

This sounds like a fun project.

My recommendation would be to set an assortment of chickens in the area and watch for a season. I'd definitely make sure some games are in the mix.

Then breed from those which survive the best.

Since you want something predator savvy, flight of foot (and wing), and a natural brooder, for that, it will be hard to beat the games.

In a few season, only the survivors will be breeding, meaning your numbers will originally decrease. Then, you should see increase and steady population depending upon the pressures from the environment, health, and predators.

Good luck with your project.
LofMc

 

[lazy gardener]

To OP: Do you expect to gain personal benefit from this experiment? Such as a sustainable flock for egg or meat production? Have you done any planting on your land to improve forage for such a flock? Have plans for such planting? What is your climate, growing zone? How much snow cover do you have in the winter? Does your ground freeze?