Breeds that lay in 100+ degeree heat

[punk-a-doodle]

Do you have any hens that continue to lay when temperatures rise above 100 degrees in the summer? What breed/s?

 

[PSJ]

I'm in Louisiana and it gets pretty hot here. Several breeds do well tho... Rhode Island Reds, white leghorns, buff orpingtons...

 

[mandelyn]

You want to go for light weight, single comb varieties. The comb releases body heat, which is why the smaller/shorter rose comb is good for cold weather, and the large single comb is good for hot weather. Body type, something on the lean side. Like a Leghorn or similar shaped bird. Leghorns come in different colors, not just white.

Give them access to plenty of shade, and open air, and they'll be fine. If it gets super hot, you can put a fan in the coop, misters outside, or 2 liter bottles with frozen water in them laying around in shady spots where the birds hang out.

A chickens body temperature is 102-103 so it doesn't need to be that hot for them to start panting with their wings out. Heavier breeds don't handle it as well as the lighter birds.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

I would try different types of Leghorns and Minorca's.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Thanks guys.

 

[azcookchicks]

I have a slightly different question but on the same line. I have 6 beautiful hens and all of different breeds. The are 22 weeks old today and I have been providing cool water, shade, laying feed and plenty of fresh veggies and fruits. They have not started laying and the heat here in AZ is not going to be getting any cooler. It is over 100 every day and some times even in the high teens as the summer progresses. Is this delaying everyone start? Well they delay laying at all until the fall? I am so anxious for course but if it is not going to happen then I won't stress anymore. (I wouldn't want to lay anything in this heat either!)

 

[MommaBee]

I have a slightly different question but on the same line. I have 6 beautiful hens and all of different breeds. The are 22 weeks old today and I have been providing cool water, shade, laying feed and plenty of fresh veggies and fruits. They have not started laying and the heat here in AZ is not going to be getting any cooler. It is over 100 every day and some times even in the high teens as the summer progresses. Is this delaying everyone start? Well they delay laying at all until the fall? I am so anxious for course but if it is not going to happen then I won't stress anymore. (I wouldn't want to lay anything in this heat either!)

No, in my opinion they are just not ready. We have had chicks now of all laying ages laying in our west texas 106 degree weather today. heavy birds and small birds. We have never had anyone stop laying unless it was loss of daylight hours in winter. My first set of hens were 25-28 weeks before they started laying, ha our EE's were 30-32 weeks. Sorry that might not be what you wanted to hear, but from my experience heat doesn't play a huge role in the beginning as much as their age and readiness does. Have you tried putting golf balls in their baskets. I doubt it effects their readiness but it always makes me feel better to keep busy while you are waiting. Also make sure they have been moved to the right feed and amount of protein. Hope this helps ya out!

 

[azcookchicks]

Gosh that is really reassuring. I was hoping that it wasn't hurting them. Today will be 108 and tomorrow 111 so I am providing ice water in their waterer every 2 hours and misting the yard at the hottest part of the day. They are in the shade of trees all day long but it is still so hot here. Thanks for taking the time to respond. You have eased my mind. Oh and yes I have provided decoy eggs in the nesting boxes but they rarely go in the coop during the day. They prefer the outdoors. I hope they figure out where to go and don't use the dusting hole they have been "building" under the coop.

 

[realsis]

Its 100 here in California where I live and my silkies are still laying! Thank God but just letting you know my silkies lay in heat so I guess the silkie breed lays in heat.

 

[azcookchicks]

Guess what everyone. It happened!!!! 109 yesterday and my white Leghorn hen laid the cutest little egg! Super excited. If one can do it they all can. Today will be 112. Thanks again for the encouragement. I must sound like a worry wart.