What do YOU think make great Free Range breeds?

[GotGame]

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You dont want to run more than one rooster, but the hens get along alright, once a pecking order is established. Free ranging gives much more room than being penned, and they can have their own areas...I agree with saladin, the orientals are alert, fast, strong and can do a pretty good job taking care of themselves.

 

[PAchickenlover]

I like the Speckled Sussex and I have White Plymouth Rocks that do great forraging. Course I also have Frizzles and a Bantam that free ranges.

 

[gumbii]

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You dont want to run more than one rooster, but the hens get along alright, once a pecking order is established. Free ranging gives much more room than being penned, and they can have their own areas...I agree with saladin, the orientals are alert, fast, strong and can do a pretty good job taking care of themselves.

in the shamo thread, i read that they weren't that good as free rangers... that's why i didn't mention them... i liked watching my shamo free range... they're smart and stare at thing to figure them out...

 

[saladin]

Quote:
You dont want to run more than one rooster, but the hens get along alright, once a pecking order is established. Free ranging gives much more room than being penned, and they can have their own areas...I agree with saladin, the orientals are alert, fast, strong and can do a pretty good job taking care of themselves.

in the shamo thread, i read that they weren't that good as free rangers... that's why i didn't mention them... i liked watching my shamo free range... they're smart and stare at thing to figure them out...

Shamos are great free-rangers! I can't imagine someone thinking they weren't. They are very intelligent just as gumbii said.

 

[Illia]

I don't know who said Shamos are horrible free-rangers, mine are EXCELLENT.



Everyone's gonna say their own opinions though but my personal favorite of the many breeds I've known are Polish.

Yes, laugh at me or act surprised, but my Polish are extremely intelligent, very brave, very hardy, and the most adventurous and daring of all the breeds. If someone's deep in the wildness of our pasture it is the Polish. If someone's chasing off an unknown, (cat, rodent, rabbit) it is the Polish. If someone can stand up for themselves pretty well, it is the Polish. If someone can get lost in the forest during a crazy storm, then somehow survive in the forest for 2 weeks before being found - It's the Polish. If someone can live off the weeds, seeds, bugs, or whatever else out there and eat the smallest amount of supplemented feed but still be very reliable layers - It's the Polish!

 

[HappyChickenLover]

I have been told multiple times that shamos roosters will stand up to chicken hawks

 

[greytmommy]

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YAH! My girls REALLY REALLY want another Polish. We had gotten a 2yo Polish from a farmer getting rid of all his chickens. We REALLY liked her, and she took to free range very quickly. we were HEARTBROKEN when she was taken by the racoon (the last one that was taken before my hubs got home from a buisness trip and went hunting... We lost FIVE!! and our neighbor lost 16!!!!) She was a gold laced Polish we named "Spike". She was SO good w/ the girls, very friendly and yes...brave is a good word for it. Glad to here of someone else thinking they are good free rangers.

ok, I have to ask......WTH is a Shamo?????? I would like to research it further since so many of you are in agreement.

Breeds we have talked about (if you want to give me your opinion on them): Oh, and they cannot be aggressive! I have 2 young kids and one on the way!
Plymoth Rock (maybe Partridge?)
Polish
Faverolle
Hamburg
Speckled Sussex
Black Copper Maran

Thanks again! I love hearing what you all think!!!

 

[punky rooster]

Shamo; http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Games/Shamo/BRKShamo.html

 

[draye]

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I had a couple of Polish that free ranged with some Lakenvelders and did great out there.

 

[Illia]

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This is a Shamo -

Old Oriental Gamefowl; very tough and smart birds, extremely friendly to people but the males, not so much to other males

Well, gave my opinion on the Polish, however if you're looking at hatcheries, don't be surprised if the males end up aggressive.

Black Copper Marans are an excellent choice, never met a mean one, in fact my sweetest rooster is a BC Marans.

Never dealt with the others except Plymouth Rocks, they were hatchery ones and I guess like any other chicken, I always hear great things about Faverolles.