Best large breeds for warmer climates?

[Jmwah_12]

Hey friends! Can’t believe I’ve been a member for 4 years crazy! I honestly forgot about the forum as I moved away from home for school and left my chickens with my dad and my grandpa. Unfortunately my grandpa got sick and passed so I moved back home to take care of my chickens with my dad, but noticed my flock significantly downsized from about 12 to 2! I’ve been wanting to get new breeds to my flock as before I had oriental breeds and they were gorgeous no doubt, but not the best in tolerance towards me or children. I do live in Southern Cali and I’m looking for larger breeds that can tolerate warmer climates as Cali does get warm in the summer but can be quite chilly during this time of year before spring. Any good recommendations?? I’ve been looking at Orpingtons, ( I’ve had them before and know they’re great options, but would like to try something new), Brahmas(unsure about the heat), Jersey giants, maybe Cochins? Any suggestions? Advice would be great as well! I have about 2 acres on my property so I’m looking for larger breeds to fill space!

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Yes, Buff and Blue Orpingtons are great, also recommend Wyandottes, Barred Plymouth Rocks, and New Hampshire Reds. I suggest Rhode Island Reds as well.

 

[Iluveggers]

Americanas/Easter Eggers are great in heat & cold also!

 

[Seaslug]

I recommend Australorps over Orpingtons, as I think they handle the heat better and my experience is that they are just as docile and personable. I think if you are looking to free range almost any breed is better than an Orpington; IME they would rather be fed. My Sussex are docile and personable but enjoy free ranging. The Sussex are not as large as the Australorp, but they are not small. I am not sure if you are inland, but if they can take my humidity they can likely can take your temperatures.

 

[fluffycrow]

It regularly gets over 40 degrees Celsius here in the summer. All the birds that have pea combs, whether homozygous or heterozygous, struggle significantly more than the birds with large, single combs. The same can be said for birds with dense feathering, such as brahmas.

Breeds like Sussex, Australorp (from what I have been able to tell, australorps in the US don’t have such dense feathering as the ones we have here), Egyptian Fayoumi, Leghorn, would be what I’d gravitate towards.

In other words, what I’ve found to do well in the summer heat are birds with clean legs (or very minimal feathering), not puffy looking, and with large surface area on their combs. Mixes that check off one or more of those boxes and/or are accustomed to your particular climate can also be a great choice

 

[Jmwah_12]

I recommend Australorps over Orpingtons, as I think they handle the heat better and my experience is that they are just as docile and personable. I think if you are looking to free range almost any breed is better than an Orpington; IME they would rather be fed. My Sussex are docile and personable but enjoy free ranging. The Sussex are not as large as the Australorp, but they are not small. I am not sure if you are inland, but if they can take my humidity they can likely can take your temperatures.

Yeah I’ve had both the Sussex and Australorp before but my Orpingtons were way more as you said, rather be hand fed! My girls were smart too, they would wait for me by my patio door to bring treats ! Even stole my grandmas favorite chair to sit on and wait for treats! I’ll give it into consideration though! As when I did have sussexes and australorps they were great just it was during covid and I couldn’t be outside as much to be with them all the time but I’ll definitely give it a go again maybe!

 

[Jmwah_12]

It regularly gets over 40 degrees Celsius here in the summer. All the birds that have pea combs, whether homozygous or heterozygous, struggle significantly more than the birds with large, single combs. The same can be said for birds with dense feathering, such as brahmas.

Breeds like Sussex, Australorp (from what I have been able to tell, australorps in the US don’t have such dense feathering as the ones we have here), Egyptian Fayoumi, Leghorn, would be what I’d gravitate towards.

In other words, what I’ve found to do well in the summer heat are birds with clean legs (or very minimal feathering), not puffy looking, and with large surface area on their combs. Mixes that check off one or more of those boxes and/or are accustomed to your particular climate can also be a great choice

I’ve been curious about Egyptian fayoumi! I collect rare oriental birds or used to with my grandpa! My grandpas brother had a 10 acre farm and would raise chickens for me, but we used to collect a rare breed that my grandparents brought when they immigrated to the US called Hmong chickens! They’re extremely rare, but have the melanistic blue black skin but with varying plumage from bright white grey to red varieties. They’re beautiful but can be hard of caring as they can be mean to other breeds and are flighty. I’ve heard Egyptian fayoumi are the same so not too sure how they would do.