Help a beginner decide!

[Jaime918]

I'll be getting chicks this spring and I read lots of conflicting information between sites and even hatcheries. I'm looking for the best heat tolerant dual purpose chicken? We reside in SW Nevada so summers can get pretty hot. As a beginner I want them to stand the best chance possible. I want them mostly for eggs, but good for a meat bird if needed. I've read Easter Eggers suit this criteria? Any suggestions would be amazing. TIA!

 

[3KillerBs]

Most of the common breeds you might have associated with grandma's farmstead -- Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Black Australorps, and on down the list -- are widely adaptable to many different climates and chicken-keeping styles.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/go-ahead-pick-the-prettiest-chickens.76277/

 

[Kiki]

I am in Houston Texas where it gets hot and stays hot...
I have Australorp, Welsummers and Easter Eggers. All do fine in the heat.
Make sure you build an open-air coop with plenty of ventilation.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

My barred rocks aren’t a fan of heat. They’re visibly showing that it’s hot mid 80’s. Over 100 they keg up in the rabbitry under the misters.

My RIR’s are not much better.

Delewares were best so far. They were ok to mid 90’s before panting. 105-108 before diving into deep shade. Took over 110 for them to voluntarily get misted on.

 

[Jaime918]

Most of the common breeds you might have associated with grandma's farmstead -- Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Black Australorps, and on down the list -- are widely adaptable to many different climates and chicken-keeping styles.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/go-ahead-pick-the-prettiest-chickens.76277/

Thank you, this is awesome!

 

[Jaime918]

I am in Houston Texas where it gets hot and stays hot...
I have Australorp, Welsummers and Easter Eggers. All do fine in the heat.
Make sure you build an open-air coop with plenty of ventilation.

Great!Thank you so much!

 

[3KillerBs]

BTW, being in the Steamy Southeast, I consider ordering from Ideal Hatchery, which is in Texas, a form of heat insurance -- since their breeding flocks are in a hot climate like mine I figure they automatically come with heat-resistant genetics.

 

[-Flash-]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-breed-traits.77006/
You can try my article if you want...?

 

[Jaime918]

My barred rocks aren’t a fan of heat. They’re visibly showing that it’s hot mid 80’s. Over 100 they keg up in the rabbitry under the misters.

My RIR’s are not much better.

Delewares were best so far. They were ok to mid 90’s before panting. 105-108 before diving into deep shade. Took over 110 for them to voluntarily get misted on.

Thank you. I was originally looking at Barred Rocks, but read they aren't fans of confinement and I can't allow free range due to coyotes, ravens, hawks and eagles all living nearby. So I didn't want them in a setting they wouldn't be okay with. I don't believe I have looked into the Delawares, I'll make a note to do so.

 

[Jaime918]

Most of the common breeds you might have associated with grandma's farmstead -- Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Black Australorps, and on down the list -- are widely adaptable to many different climates and chicken-keeping styles.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/go-ahead-pick-the-prettiest-chickens.76277/

Simple and easy. Love it! Thank you.