Best Quiet Egglayers for Texas Heat???

[hellotexas]

Thanks for the responses!
Yes, Bullitt, we are in a suburb of Houston, so VERY HOT, HUMID summers (winters, too this year!). I've lived in the same house for 18 years and know most of my neighbors very well. They all think it's hilarious, but fine, that I'm keeping laying hens. My coop is located behind my garage, so really no one can see it. The only neighbors who might be affected are those directly behind me, but since I've had the girls for over four months and so far they haven't said a thing, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all is well. While I would LOVE to move to "the freedom of the country", that will have to wait until my kids are off to college in five years. : )

Kari_Dawn, I have been thinking along the same lines...this newbie may have been taken! I also realize that there has been quite a lot of upheaval in their lives the past few months which may have contributed to the decline in their laying (a move in the extreme heat, sharing the yard with a dog who at first was very interested in them, not a ton of attention for a time-- my son's best friend died-- and finally a move into the new digs lasts week). I had a little chat with the girls as I was building this coop and let them know that they have one more month to start giving me some results or else it's freezer camp for them! Don't know that I can actually follow through with that except for the problem-causer of the group! : )

I've heard great things about Black Austrolorps, so I'm leaning toward them primarily. I'll probably order from Ideal, as it is semi-local here in Texas, and just get the minimum $25 (about 10 birds). Since I am new to all of this, I'm thinking it would be wise to order an assortment to find out which breed(s) work best in my situation; therefore, I'm leaning toward 3 BA, 2 NNT (they're ugly as can be, but supposedly lay well and tolerate heat), and one each of the red, black, and gold sex links, Delaware, and Easter Egger.

Next question for Gulf Coast Texans... when is the best time to raise chicks so they don't moult in their first autumn???

Thank you so much for all of your help ~ y'all are terrific! : )

 

[coyotesmommy]

This may be random but is Texas summers humid or dry?

Depends on the day!

 

[kari_dawn]

Depends on the day!

x a bazillion! It's said that you may have clear sunny skies over your house, but your neighbors across the street will be experiencing a downpour!

hellotexas, I urge you to give buff orpingtons a second chance! These guys (gals) may just be past thier egg laying prime...My very first buff once gave us three eggs in one day...not sure how that's possible

but even at 9 years old, we were getting a couple of eggs a week from her. She was most definately a rockstar layer.

Also, when I order birds, If I want just one of a specific breed, I order three. Why? Well, incase one turns out to be a rooster, or one turns out to have a poor temperament, or one dies, etc. In your case, I would order a whole bunch of Dual Purpose breeds that appeal to you visually. I live in North Texas, so not nearly as humid as Houston, but last year durring that crazy hot summer, my mixed flock did wonderfully.

Oh! I just thought of another breed you may enjoy! I have a salmon faverolle. She is so sweet and so full of personality, and SO quite...and adorable to look at too.



You may also look at the breed selector tool on My Pet Chicken's website...dunno if it would help or not, but it may give you some interesting options you havent thought about.

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

I would also give your buffs into spring to pick up on laying. If the seller was honest, and the birds are a year, second year layers will slow down durring winter. The shortened daylight hours affect quantity of egg production.

 

[LindsayB]

I live in the Houston area, Cypress. This weather has been crazy huh? It doesn't even feel like winter... We have easter eggers for our laying hens and we also live in a neighborhood with strict deed restrictions. Our neighbors know we have a few hens but really don't care, we've been keeping chickens for 5 years now in our backyard with no complaints!

The ee's we have now will be 2 years old in march and they had their first big molt around the beginning of oct. They finally starting laying again 2 weeks ago and haven't slowed down. They are great layers in the heat though and seem to tolerate it well.

 

[wastintime202]

I live in Splendora,Tx and my red sex links are have been laying like crazy since they started laying . They layed all through the 100 degree summer and are still laying most every day. My barred rock lays daily but she is quite vocal although she is one of my favorites. My EE lays 2 or 3 eggs a week, but she is four years old. We love her green eggs so she will be a keeper. My black sex link had a long delay while she was molting, but only quit laying for a couple of weeks and is now going strong. When mine take a break from laying I give them oatmeal and the next day my box will be full. They also get 2 extra hours of light from a bulb we put in the chicken house. It comes on at 4 am and goes off at 6 am.

 

[hellotexas]

I live in Splendora,Tx and my red sex links are have been laying like crazy since they started laying . They layed all through the 100 degree summer and are still laying most every day. My barred rock lays daily but she is quite vocal although she is one of my favorites. My EE lays 2 or 3 eggs a week, but she is four years old. We love her green eggs so she will be a keeper. My black sex link had a long delay while she was molting, but only quit laying for a couple of weeks and is now going strong. When mine take a break from laying I give them oatmeal and the next day my box will be full. They also get 2 extra hours of light from a bulb we put in the chicken house. It comes on at 4 am and goes off at 6 am.

Thanks! I haven't gotten to putting up a light, but may try that this week and see if there is any response. I've been giving them oatmeal laced with cayenne whenever we have leftovers, with no huge results, but I'll keep trying that.
: )

 

[hellotexas]

I live in the Houston area, Cypress. This weather has been crazy huh? It doesn't even feel like winter... We have easter eggers for our laying hens and we also live in a neighborhood with strict deed restrictions. Our neighbors know we have a few hens but really don't care, we've been keeping chickens for 5 years now in our backyard with no complaints!

The ee's we have now will be 2 years old in march and they had their first big molt around the beginning of oct. They finally starting laying again 2 weeks ago and haven't slowed down. They are great layers in the heat though and seem to tolerate it well.

LindsayB,
I had no idea a molt that long, so maybe that has something to do with my slump. Glad to hear that yours are picking up. I may have to try the EE's after all! : )

 

[hellotexas]

Kari_Dawn,
Thanks for the info. I'll look into the Salmon Faverolles as well.
I understand your rationale on ordering at least three of each type, but I think I'd be putting myself at a huge risk of being "reported" to the deed-police if I take on too many birds. The more chicken, the more noise, right?!? I have room for many more than the four I currently have (100 square feet in the coop, and the entire area behind and next to the garage as a run), but don't want to push it! : )

 

[kari_dawn]

I totally understand. I am in an older, well established neighborhood. Our lots are huge (mine is 3/4 of an acre), and the houses are big too, so it makes it easier to have several. I keep them till they are almost ready to lay, then sell the ones I didn't become attached to.

Right now, I have 20 in the yard, and come spring, a good portion of those are going to new homes.

 

[amazonsuzi]

Hi! I'm in the San Antonio Area & I was wondering what breeds you finally ended up with???