“They seem more likely to fall to predators than some breeds, though...”
That’s because Buffs are ‘Wisconsin Nice’ and want to be friends with everyone they meet! ;)
My last coop wasn’t nearly as well protected as my current one, and I only lost a Buff or two to a racoon attack that we had one night. Lost other breeds in that, too. :( The racoon did NOT get to try that a second time! I had netting over all of the chicken yard, so that helped a lot against hawks.
I did have a Great Horned Owl in the coop one night. 2am, summertime - the girls were making a HUGE fuss and my bedroom window was open so I heard them. We went down there and roosting with my hens was the Great Horned Owl, just snuggled up, not eating anyone, LOL! Using a blanket and a snow shovel we were able to ‘convince’ him to leave through the open barn door, and as he flew off, his wingtip touched my face! I’ll never forget that. And he truly was SILENT when flying. It was so cool!
Shepherds in the Pyranees raise Great Pyranees puppies with the sheep so that they look at themselves as part of the flock and defend the flocks against wolves.
Could you raise an orphan owl to consider itself as part of the flock and that would provide still have enough inate "Owlness" to provide some protection against predators like weasels and rats? Humm. There is a Video of Chicken who fostered a Pecock egg and the peacock and foster mother still hang around together. Might be an interesting experiment!
Thanks for the knowledge