What colored chickens are best to avoid predators?

[Weeg]

I have heard separate thoughts on which colored chickens, are less likely to get predators attention. Light colored birds, or dark colored birds. Some say light, some say dark, I want to know what your experiences have been, and what you think. This is coinciding with this thread- https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-100-forage-diet.1440364/page-2#post-23879309 , on my idea to do a 100% foraging/free ranging diet. It explains my idea there. But I need a breed that can survive free ranging and wont attract as much attention to its self. Thanks for taking the time to read this!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

For me, whatever ones blend in best. Most of mine look similar to the grass they roam in. I've lost bird that are too light and too dark to blend in

 

[Weeg]

For me, whatever ones blend in best. Most of mine look similar to the grass they roam in. I've lost bird that are too light and too dark to blend in

I have mostly forest, and a wide open yard. I am think gin brown then. Brown trees, brown dead logs, brown leaves, brown forest floor.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Then partridge and any wild type patterns would probably work well

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

I would think that speckled, mottled etc might also help as the spotting breaks up the outline of the bird. (Just like it does for wild big cats, leopards for example.)

 

[Weeg]

I would think that speckled, mottled etc might also help as the spotting breaks up the outline of the bird. (Just like it does for wild big cats, leopards for example.)

Like the same idea with Zebras. Thank you!

 

[Weeg]

Added Spotted or Barred to the list!

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Added Spotted or Barred to the list!

Welcome. Though as I said on the other thread, I have heard that some people have the MOST issues with barred birds getting picked off by birds of prey. (Since they are LOOKING or that basic coloring because many of their normal prey animals are "grayish" looking. Wild game birds = generally grayish. Mice and rats = gray. wild rabbits = gray etc... ) I'm sure no expert, nor do I play one on TV, but it does make sense too. What it comes down to is luck, your predator load, how aware your birds ARE, and how many places they have to hide. Are you palnning on having roosters?

 

[Weeg]

Welcome. Though as I said on the other thread, I have heard that some people have the MOST issues with barred birds getting picked off by birds of prey. (Since they are LOOKING or that basic coloring because many of their normal prey animals are "grayish" looking. Wild game birds = generally grayish. Mice and rats = gray. wild rabbits = gray etc... ) I'm sure no expert, nor do I play one on TV, but it does make sense too. What it comes down to is luck, your predator load, how aware your birds ARE, and how many places they have to hide. Are you palnning on having roosters?

Yes! Defiantly roosters. As many roosters as I can have with 15-20 chickens. So maybe about 3? I get the whole grey thing as well. I bet it depends on the predators too. So far, most of my chickens on the list are brown, so so far, seems like I am going with brown. Though Rabbits, mice, moles, and other prey, are brown to. There isn't a lot of pretty that is white though....

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Yes! Defiantly roosters. As many roosters as I can have with 15-20 chickens. So maybe about 3? I get the whole grey thing as well. I bet it depends on the predators too. So far, most of my chickens on the list are brown, so so far, seems like I am going with brown. Though Rabbits, mice, moles, and other prey, are brown to. There isn't a lot of pretty that is white though....

Yeah, that is why I said "grayish" the first time. LOL Easier than saying grayish brown.