First time chicken owner... which breed..

[azelgin]

I have Buff Orpingtons, Wyandottes and Easter Eggers. They all do fine in the heat, as long as you provide them with shade. My Buffs hold their own in confrontions with the other chickens just fine. They also lay the largest egg of the breeds I have. The Wyandottes have turned out to be excellent broodies and mothers (almost too good). I have yet to have one of the EEs turn broody, but the are also my most prolific layers. I suggest whatever you decide to build for housing, you shade their run completely. I have one run (12 x 30) covered with 80% shade cloth. It's not dark enough. On hot days, the chickens still hide in the shadow of the coop. Next time I would either use 100% shade cloth, or solid roofing.

 

[jqs birds]

Well as you can see everyone has there own opiniions and favorite breed. Not to confuse you more but check out the feathersite.com they have tons of pictures and a brief history of most breeds. Remember too chickens have different personalities even those of the same breed.

 

[Featherwisp]

Well, what do you know! I have all three of those breeds!

Buff Orpingtons are wonderful birds. They are calm, beautiful, great mothers, good egg layers, but...they are winter hardy, which means they can bare the cold more then the hot. Shade is a must with this breed.

Barred Rocks are a great breed. RIR are also a wonderful breed to start out with. They are a pretty hardy breed, more towards withstanding the heat then the cold.

 

[cybercat]

Quote:
I would place your order now with a hatchery for fall. Most of the hatcheries are sold out. If you can find one that has what you want(call to make sure) order them NOW.

 

[tiffster011]

Thanks for your input everyone I will have to check out all my options and then figure out if they locally carry those breeds. It is sure nice to get feedback on a topic like this. Thankfully where my tractor will be primarily located is 100% shaded by my house from the afternoon sun. I figured shade was a must in AZ. The area gets sun from about 8 am to 10 am and then is 100% shaded, so i hope that works. If not I can mist them to keep them cool as well.

Thanks.. I look forward to all the fun comments!!