Best breed for heat and eggs. Also, timing of order.

[Smorz]

Hi all. I live in Arkansas - zone 7b. Hot and humid. Trying to land on a good breed of chicken - my biggest focus being good layers and heat tolerant. I don't care about meat. Would like friendly. We do have predator issues but are trying to iron-clad our coop. They will free range during the day. I never hear speckled sussex mentioned in threads like this but seems they fit all the traits. That is what I have on order, but I'm doubting myself now. Wondering if I should change them to another breed. Comments on the SS or other options much appreciated. It does on occasion get down to freezing and sometimes below.

I've got the order placed at Ideal. It was due to come middle of the May, now they rescheduled to first week of June due to the guineas also on that order. What are the issues with late orders like this?

 

[Smorz]

That was some exciting input!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Hi all. I live in Arkansas - zone 7b. Hot and humid. Trying to land on a good breed of chicken - my biggest focus being good layers and heat tolerant. I don't care about meat. Would like friendly. We do have predator issues but are trying to iron-clad our coop. They will free range during the day. I never hear speckled sussex mentioned in threads like this but seems they fit all the traits. That is what I have on order, but I'm doubting myself now. Wondering if I should change them to another breed. Comments on the SS or other options much appreciated. It does on occasion get down to freezing and sometimes below.

I've got the order placed at Ideal. It was due to come middle of the May, now they rescheduled to first week of June due to the guineas also on that order. What are the issues with late orders like this?

Some of your best bets that are heat tolerant, friendly and good layers are Andalusians, Ameracanas, and sometimes Opringtons. The speckled sussex is more of a cold hardy bird but they can live is hot areas.

 

[Smorz]

Thanks MP. That's helpful. So, is the reason people don't order late due to the fact they'll have no egg season to speak of this year?

 

[Mary Poopins]

I don't know about humidity but where I live it gets brutally hot with almost no humidity and I had no issues with my girlies last summer.
I have Rhode Island Reds and an Easter egger.

I got my girlies in March and they didn't start laying until September.
So, if you got them now they would start laying in November which may be too late for your climate.
Here the chickens lay all through winter, whatever that is!!!!

Mary