Do I pick cold hardy or heat hardy?

[Aussie-Chook]

I live in central PA. Our winters get to 0º F and our summers get to 100ºF ... I want to add to my flock of 4 (1 Barred Rock, 3 Buff Rocks - chosen by someone else) ... should I be aiming at cold hardy or heat hardy??

Thanks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

We go from -10 to 110 and I vote for heat hardy. Most breeds can go down to zero. They are much more susceptible to heat.

I found one I would recommend for both. Jaerhons.

 

[Going Quackers]

Quite a number of breeds can handle both, i'd likely lean in that direct. We go to super cold but can reach 100F in the summer too... extremes are hard either way.

 

[donrae]

I have the same temp range and have had most of the common dual purpose breeds--Rocks, Reds, Wyandottes, Orpingtons, Sussex. Also Easter eggers, sex links and Leghorns. Never any temp related issue either way, hot or cold. I don't think our temps are extreme enough to really worry about it. I think it's more an issue if you're in a tropical type area, or an arctic type area. Most of the US is pretty moderate.

 

[ChickenCurt]

Most chickens do well when draft free and dry in the winter and well watered and shaded in the summer what you'll want to look for is a good layer for your average year round temp. so as to get the most it. In Minnesota the Rhode Islands and Leghorns well and those same birds do good in the desert here. But many more are available; Jersey's, Barred Rocks, Sex Links, so on.

 

[AlanW]

I have only one leghorn because I was under the impression that they can't handle the cold. She does just fine down to -20F.

I'd aim for heat tolerance.