Will a larger breed chicken deter predators??

[Floppy Pheasant]

I have unfortunately,lost much loved chickens due to predators,my coops are like Fort Knox,I let them free range daily,most attacks were during daylight hours (fox).
I'm incubating Brahma's (due to hatch next week).Predators never go near my Ringneck pheasants,my General Lee is manacing....I'm hoping a larger breed in my flock will deter attacks...any thoughts?

 

[ramboas93]

Fox during daylight? thats weird they tend to be dusk or dawn hunters. But short answer is no. Reason your pheasants have been ok is because the chickens are alot easier to catch and bigger meal on top of it. I've had Chickens,Ducks,Turkeys,Geese, and Guineas. The only ones who can put up any kind of fight are my male geese, Usually they go for something else thats doesn't fight back and then my geese chase them off. I'm sure If it was determined hungry enough a big fox or bobcat could take my a male goose. but since i have a group of them I haven't lost much to very many ground predators, but their was an owl one time that they couldn't do nothing about, it would swoop down and fly off with the smaller birds before they even knew what happen.

 

[Floppy Pheasant]

My neighbor texted my husband..it was noon and he saw the fox chasing my chickens...he ran him off but the fox got my chickens.
I was hoping getting a larger breed would scare off larger predators...ugghhh...thanks for your help,I may have to get some male geese..will they protect chickens as well?

 

[ramboas93]

yes they are the best flock protectors, I mean my tom turkey can handle his own but he doesnt care about anyone else. my geese on the other hand they always watch out for everyone, even brought home some baby chicks and ducklings home one time and the first time i let them outside to play for little bit the geese took right to them and would not give them back and they ended up raising them and became super protective of them, anyone or thing besides me they wouldnt let near them unless you wanted to catch a flogging. They also get real loud when theirs a disturbance honking and hissing.

I got a german sheperd dog who to this day they still arent very fond of but will tolerate her if she keeps her distance but one day she grabbed a egg out of a nest and i went to give her a smack on the butt and before i knew it all the geese joined in, it was funny and shocking poor girl didnt know what had happened to her, took her second to realize. Long story short she leaves eggs alone now.

 

[Floppy Pheasant]

Awww...thanks so much for the advice! I'll be incubating geese eggs now.....why breed do you suggest?

 

[ramboas93]

Yout Welcome. Toulouse are my favorite hands down, emdens are my second go to choice.