Breeds good for the South?

[synoviaus]

What are some good breeds for the South? I would really like some Cochins and Brahmas, but worry about the heat. I live in Alabama. It is really hot and humid here in the summer, but we do have some cold days in the winter. We usually get a fair amount of rain. We rarely get snow though, but some of my birds have fronzen their combs before. They refuse to roost in a building, but prefer a tree. Amy

 

[Sillystunt]

I have a Rhode Island red and she does ok here in Fl. She will hide in the shade and burry herself in the dirt to stay cool!

 

[noitulover]

i would assume the less heavy, the better.

 

[Pidgey104]

I have all in my sigature all do really good.

 

[DiVon80]

Hi! I am in SE, Louisiana and have had cochins,silkies,Buff O'S, ee, for a long time. They all do fine. Be sure they have plenty of water and shade.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Sumatras! Cubalayas...light breeds would be better. I've lost cochins & faverolles to the heat....

 

[SportTees]

I'm in North AL and have about 17 different breeds without any problems. Mine are mostly 2 months and younger though. You just need an shady area so they can cool down and plenty of water.

 

[gritsar]

Surprisingly the brahmas do just fine in the heat. The neat part about owning brahmas in the south, at least to me, is that they don't need any special care at all in the wintertime. They breeze right thru our mild winters.
The only thing I do for my brahmas in the summertime is add poultry electrolytes to their water if temps. are over 90 degrees; but I think that's a good idea for any breed.
I have an old box fan to hang in their coop window if there's no breeze blowing.
Their feet will get messy during mud season, but they dry off just as fast and look fine.

 

[CheepSunglasses]

I am in southern VA and my poor Cochin just wilts through the summer. I would not recommend them in the southern states unless you have a way to keep them cool. All of my others do just fine, and these include RIR, PBR, Leghorns, Marans, Lackenvelder, Australorp, BOs, Sex-links and a few others.

 

[DTchickens]

Rhode island reds, Barred rocks, Various types of games (Cubalayas, Sumatras, Modern and old english games, Americans, Spanish, orientals..im not naming them all lol) Silkies, Leghorns, and stuff like to do perfectly fine.. I did get some langshans before and thought they were going to die of a heartattack (Big, fluff)... However kept in shade, cool water, And try not to let them get fat (feed crack corn instead of whole corn, or cut out corn completely and feed other stuff occasionally adding corn when needed) all should be fine.