Hi everyone!

[gander007]

 

[Michael OShay]

Would these breeds do well enough in the heat? I live in Houston and it get's pretty hot more than half the year. I plan to place the coop and run in the shade of a large live oak tree so it should be shaded all day but I am still concerned for them.

Black Australorps are extremely heat resistant. They are commonly raised in the Australian outback where temperatures frequently reach 115-116 F. I used to raise them in the northern Sacramento Valley where summer temperatures frequently reached 117-118 F (123 F once), and with shade, good coop ventilation, and plenty of fresh water, they did just fine. They can handle the heat in Houston (my sister used to live there, so I'm familiar with Houston summers) with no problems.

 

[drumstick diva]

Please let us know which breeds you get and we always love to see pictures. Welcome to BYC

 

[cmpembro]

Thanks! That sets my mind at ease Chickens are pretty amazing to be able to take so much heat and cold! I'll keep you guys posted

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

The only thing I can say is that I personally should have started in chickens sooner!

Great to have you aboard and welcome to our flock!

 

[ChookRanger]

It looks like you've done your homework so if you've heard this all before I'm sorry. My first suggestion is to find a good reliable feed store. I have a local store that is family owned and they are all really helpful. There is nothing wrong with ordering all your supplies, but having someone explain and demonstrate everything is so much better. There a quite a few in the Houston area and you can either check them all out or get some suggestions from other Houstonians. My other suggestion is to build a good strong coop. Keeping out predators should be the #1 priority. Good strong hardware cloth will keep out almost everything except bears, mountain lions, and sasquatch. Even in the city you get hawks, owls, snakes, and rats. Raccoons, skunks, and possums turn up in surprising places like suburbs. So, don't trust the twisted strand type chicken wire. As far as breeds go, your choices sound good, I wanted Buff Orpingtons but I got Barred Rocks instead and have been very happy with them. Anyway that's my 2¢. Good luck and have fun with your chickens!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Some great links and suggestions above, there are also a number of threads on what people wish they had known or done differently when they first got chickens that make for good useful reading ie https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...sh-you-had-known-before-you-got-your-chickens and https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/745650/1-thing-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-was-starting-out