CSU - Chicken State University- Large Fowl SOP

[galanie]

I'd like to ask a "stupid" question.  Are the heavier, fluffier breeds such as Orps and Wyandottes, able to withstand hot summers in the south, like in Southern California?  Where I live, we just had 103 degree heat, and in the summer, we can hang at 110 for days, and over 100 for months, so I'm curious if these breeds could survive, if there were shade and water?

Throwing my 2 cents in here too. Summer before last, we suffered the worst drought in recorded history here in this part of Texas. At that time I had about a dozen birds, 1 of which was an SOP black Orp and 3 were the super fluffy, "english" type Orps. Then I had a barred rock, a polish, a dark cornish, and some hatchery Orps plus a couple of California Greys.

It is unusual for our temps to get to 110, but that summer they did, and for days and days in a row, the highest was 119 I think. People all around Texas lost birds like crazy. Even with fans, etc. I lost not a bird. The coop was shaded by trees, and the most important, a large old oak situated where it got any scant breeze that might come by. Also I had a shallow pan with a couple inches of water in it for them to stand in under that tree. That tree and the shallow water saved my birds.

All of them suffered. But I have to say, the 3 super fluffy "english" type (I say "english" that way because they really aren't 100% english but do look the part) suffered the most. The cockerel wheezed when the temps got above around 112. But none died. One of the birds was my avatar, the blue Orp.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'd like to ask a "stupid" question. Are the heavier, fluffier breeds such as Orps and Wyandottes, able to withstand hot summers in the south, like in Southern California? Where I live, we just had 103 degree heat, and in the summer, we can hang at 110 for days, and over 100 for months, so I'm curious if these breeds could survive, if there were shade and water?

I'm East of Sacramento and have 2 English Orp hens. We can get up to 115 and they have been fine. They do start panting before everyone else. They are VERY popular among the other hens in winter - they fight over who gets to snuggle next to them on the roost.

 

[cluck-cluck]

I raised Silver Laced Wyandottes in Ga. for years, quite successfuly. Now I'm raising my big Buff orps in the sandy, humid, Carolina Bays in S.C. with no problems. They do have heavy shade, cool water, and fans when the temperatures go over 95. My sand runs are a big help too.

Oh, I never thought of sandy runs as keeping things cool, but I can see it would, especially if you misted it a bit!

the Watt collection of poultry paintings..a real treat


one of the beautiful pai/ngs

How cool, where are they exhibited? -just watched the video, and he says in illinois LOL

Throwing my 2 cents in here too. Summer before last, we suffered the worst drought in recorded history here in this part of Texas. At that time I had about a dozen birds, 1 of which was an SOP black Orp and 3 were the super fluffy, "english" type Orps. Then I had a barred rock, a polish, a dark cornish, and some hatchery Orps plus a couple of California Greys.

It is unusual for our temps to get to 110, but that summer they did, and for days and days in a row, the highest was 119 I think. People all around Texas lost birds like crazy. Even with fans, etc. I lost not a bird. The coop was shaded by trees, and the most important, a large old oak situated where it got any scant breeze that might come by. Also I had a shallow pan with a couple inches of water in it for them to stand in under that tree. That tree and the shallow water saved my birds.

All of them suffered. But I have to say, the 3 super fluffy "english" type (I say "english" that way because they really aren't 100% english but do look the part) suffered the most. The cockerel wheezed when the temps got above around 112. But none died. One of the birds was my avatar, the blue Orp.

Well now, if that doesn't answer my question perfectly, I don't know what would! LOL, that looks very much like where I live, it very seldom gets that hot, that'd be 1 in 50/ or 100 years, but I believe it was just as unusual for you as well I hope you're getting some of that rain going on back there, and none of the storms!!

I'm East of Sacramento and have 2 English Orp hens. We can get up to 115 and they have been fine. They do start panting before everyone else. They are VERY popular among the other hens in winter - they fight over who gets to snuggle next to them on the roost.

LOL, I'd probably bring them into the house to sleep with ME, LOL. Thank you too for that information. I grew up on a street called Wyandotte, and I keep wanting to get one just because of that, LOL For fun

 

[OSUman]

I wish I could have made it up there when they had them on display

the Watt collection of poultry paintings..a real treat


one of the beautiful pai/ngs

 

[normanack]

I'd love to have a postcard collection of those paintings.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Were those paintings used in one of the published SOPs?

 

[aveca]

Jon, i wish i could have seen that too..

cluck cluck..walt said he likes the schilling paintings as accurate..a lot of those paintings are schilling..i beleive that artist did do the sop portraits..he used birds that were close to ideal, then took artistic libertys to correct any small flaws to paint what the standard ideal would look like and to use as reference..

 

[aveca]

 

[aveca]

i was trying to add to the pictures above..you take the pic of what is consideder ideal then look at your own birds and set goals much like Vickie has..i almost feel buff color is a little daunting for novice like me..i really will need coaching .the color is there..but keeping it that way seems to be the thing........the puff and frame I get ,been there done that and it was rewarded...that color can and has gotten lost in the past..

 

[cluck-cluck]

That buff color is indeed amazing. Was that Vickie's bird or yours? So beautiful!