Choosing Chickens for Houston Backyard

[CA2TX2TN]

Hi All,

Brand new to your forum. I'm really glad I finally found a "backyard" focused forum for poultry!

I'm trying to setup a small backyard flock. However, we live near Houston, TX. Hot and humid summers. I'm also aware that for laying, the hens prefer cooler temps. Does anyone have any suggestions on what varieties of "brown layer" chickens I should seek?

Chuck

 

[Kesta]

im in houston too. i know that rhode island reds(rir)`s lay brown and lay well in heat. i have some myself. dominiques are also good layers for brown eggs in heat.

 

[gritsar]

Hi and welcome to BYC.
Here's a chart that can help you choose the best breeds for you:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[CA2TX2TN]

Great information!

Kesta,
Any issues I should be concerned about? How large is your flock? Have you found any of the hatcherys better for sending chicks down south in the summer? I've been planning on McMurray, but I've not used them before?
Chuck

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Have you checked out Ideal Hatchery? They are in Cameron, Texas. I love my Ideal chickens and the customer service I got was great!

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
My hens have laid ALL summer and South Louisiana has about the same temps you have . Wehn fall and winter sets in ALOT of breeds slow down on laying and restart full swing in the spring .... I have several different breeds but my best layers are my Rhode Isalnd reds and barred rocks ..... BIG BROWN EGGS ....

 

[orcasislandchickens]

Unless your neighbors are more tolerant than mine, be sure and choose pullets. Sexlinks, like the red or black ones the hatcheries have (they all seem to give them different names )might be even better. Even when a hatchery sexes their chicks there is only a 90% success rate, you could still end up with a rooster to get rid of. Because the sexlinks are bred with the males born one color and the females another you would be 100% sure. They are also known for being docile. And I think the black ones especially, are very pretty.

Some of the freindlier heavy breeds, like the ones I chose for good laying in the consistantly cool (cold and rainy) pacific northwest don't do so well in the heat.

 

[CA2TX2TN]

Gritsar,
I'd not heard of Ideal. Funny, I worked a project just about 20 miles south of Cameron. I'll definitely check them out.

Great forum with lots of info.

Cajun Liz,
I wondered how the RIR did. Your weather conditions are similar to Houston. I think we have milder winters, at least for the past decade or so.

 

[SussexInSeattle]

I didn't check the list someone provided but I had recently read that Naked Necks or Turkens do well in hot weather because of their nakedness. If you can get past the funny look. But hey, that's what Free Air Conditioning looks like on a chicken. And what better place to raise rednecks than Texas?

 

[Foxhound lady]

If yoour order from Ideal you would get them overnight. Or you could go to the feed store on Washburn (I think) or Conroe Feeders (30 minutes north) they have chicks year round.

If you wanting chickens that do good in the TX heat stay away from the fluffys (orppingtons, Cochins, ect.)