How many should I get?

[Egghead_Jr]

Cold water when hot. Yup change water out for cold at midday. The other key is not to have dark birds. We live in northern new england and never lost a bird to below zero temps but have lost a black bird to mid summer, hot water and no shade.

As for losing birds during first year....ok, I lost 3 of 6 my first year to a mink. Anymore we lose one or two first year birds out of fifty to some freak accident never from them dying for no reason.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Just read about a German breed called Deathlayer. Yes, sounds a bit scary for a chicken breed name, but supposedly these hens lay an egg every day until they die. There is no slowing them down! They look cool too!

This is what one of Greenfire Farms Deathlayer hens look like. They just auctioned some on rarebreedauctions.com

That's a rooster.
Westfalische Totleger

Cold water when hot. Yup change water out for cold at midday. The other key is not to have dark birds. We live in northern new england and never lost a bird to below zero temps but have lost a black bird to mid summer, hot water and no shade.

As for losing birds during first year....ok, I lost 3 of 6 my first year to a mink. Anymore we lose one or two first year birds out of fifty to some freak accident never from them dying for no reason.

Preventing the water from getting too warm is important but I don't buy the dark bird thing.
All my birds are black. Black Penedesencas and they're among the hardiest birds I've had in heat to 110+.











Minorcas, Anconas, Leghorns and Jaerhons handled the heat well too. (including black leghorns)

The only bird I've lost to heat was a Welsummer.

 

[dheltzel]

Just read about a German breed called Deathlayer. Yes, sounds a bit scary for a chicken breed name, but supposedly these hens lay an egg every day until they die. There is no slowing them down! They look cool too!

This is what one of Greenfire Farms Deathlayer hens look like. They just auctioned some on rarebreedauctions.com

I ain't buying the "lay until they die" marketing line. The only way that happens is if they are genetically prone to getting eggbound and die quickly as a result (They never state whether it's because they lay well for many years or just keel over and die easily). The company that imported these and is selling them is well known for over-the-top hyperbole in the interest of charging high prices. Go read their "fine German engineering" line in the Bielefelder page if you want another example. There is a good reason why Biels are not very popular and they dance all around it, but never mention the negatives for any breed.

Just be cautious spending a lot based on the descriptions written on a sales page. if you want them for pets and because you think they look cool, then fine, but don't expect a lot of eggs from this breed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It makes me wonder what happens when they molt. Do they lay right through molt?

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Westphal/BRKWestphal.html

 

[Egghead_Jr]

That's a rooster.
Westfalische Totleger

Preventing the water from getting too warm is important but I don't buy the dark bird thing.
All my birds are black. Black Penedesencas and they're among the hardiest birds I've had in heat to 110+.





Minorcas, Anconas, Leghorns and Jaerhons handled the heat well too. (including black leghorns)

The only bird I've lost to heat was a Welsummer.

Right, the lighter breeds, mediteranian breeds handle heat well. Heavier dual purpose birds don't. Black from Blue Plymouth Rocks are not good with little shade in my experience and would imagine Australorp or black Orpington would also have issues in heat without ample shade and few refills of cold water per day.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't think any chickens handle heat without ample shade.
They may want to dust bathe in the sun but then move off into the shade when they're done.
The Mediterranean breeds big combs and wattles help dissipate heat.