Breed Suggestions for Central Texas

[hyak107]

I finished building my chicken run this past weekend, the space is 20'x20' with several shade trees and is completely fenced, including overhead.

I live alone and figured that three chickens would be a good start just for me, I'm just not sure what breeds to go with. Although the run is shaded it gets hot as heck here in Central Texas. I was thiinking Australorp, Rhode Island Red, and Barred Rock. Would those be good choices? Any other recommendations?

Ideal Poultry is about an hour away from me, they seem to have a good selection and I can get away with ordering under their minimum if I pick them up in person.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[ccar2000]

I live in the High Desert USDA Zone 9. It gets plenty hot here however it does also get to freezing temps in the winter. I have always had good luck with Rhode Island Reds and Rocks. Last Spring I tried Buckeyes. They seem to be more affected by the high heat than the other pen mates. I recommend any of the heavy/dual purpose breeds. They are well rounded birds.

 

[hyak107]

Thanks ccar2000. It's good to know that they do well in the heat. It does get below freezing here, but thankfully not all that often during the winter.

 

[donrae]

Any of your Mediterranean breeds are heat tolerant. Leghorns, Mincoras, Andalusians, etc. Mostly white eggers.

Australorps are a good choice. They were developed to tolerate the heat of Australia.

Rocks and Reds seem to just be all around good birds for any climate.

Naked necks/Turkens do well in the heat.

Easter eggers also do well in the heat.

From what I see here, the big fluffy birds like Cochins and Orpingtons seem to suffer more.

 

[dekel18042]

I finished building my chicken run this past weekend, the space is 20'x20' with several shade trees and is completely fenced, including overhead.

I live alone and figured that three chickens would be a good start just for me, I'm just not sure what breeds to go with. Although the run is shaded it gets hot as heck here in Central Texas. I was thiinking Australorp, Rhode Island Red, and Barred Rock. Would those be good choices? Any other recommendations?

Ideal Poultry is about an hour away from me, they seem to have a good selection and I can get away with ordering under their minimum if I pick them up in person.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Welcome. There are many breeds who would fit your criteria and you could be happy with. Do you want three alike or three different? Are you concerned with how many eggs you will get? Some lay more than others. Do different colored eggs interest you? Are brown or white fine or would you like some blue or green or terra cotta mixed in for fun?
You could go to www.mypetchicken.com and answer a short questionnaire and they will give you some suggestions based on your answers. It sounds like you might need heat hardy more than cold hardy but need a bird who can withstand both extremes. My favorites are the Easter eggers who with their pea combs can stand both extremes of weather. They're friendly and mine are excellent layers (although some vary) and I get beautiful very large blue and greenish blue eggs. But you'll find everyone has his or her favorites. You just need to find yours. Good luck.

 

[hyak107]

I wound up ordering a few more than planned (8), I have the room, but will need to build a larger hen house. I was thinking that I could get a few more later on, but it seemed to make sense to get them all at once.

I would up ordering:

2 Rhode Island Reds
1 Black Australorp
2 Barred Rock
3 Dominique