Halfpasthen
Songster
Hello and thank you in advance! I'd also like to apologize now for any rambling in this post. After a lot of research about the chicken for me, my head is spinning.
I have read many articles regarding appropriate breeds but honestly, everything seems contradictory. Perhaps it would be best if I listed my limitations and what I can offer a flock. I am hoping someone can advise me.
My situation:
I live in a suburb in the Deep South. I have neighbors relatively close and need a quieter breed. It is VERY hot and humid (zone 9), most of the year.
I would like to set up two runs on either side of my back yard so I could rotate the flock back and forth. Each run would about about 20ftx7ft and 5ft tall (coop in each). Both runs would be surrounded by oak and fig trees and I will be planting lots of chicken friendly plants. My point being that they will have lots of shade to escape the heat but I am unsure if that's enough.
I currently have a 4ft chain link fence but will be installing a 6ft privacy fence before we get chickens. I work from home and would LOVE to let them run around my yard when I am out to watch them. But I really would prefer birds that won't fly over the fence. It's bad enough when my dog hops into their yards lol.
But I also need them to be able to bear confinement. I don't want miserable cooped birds.
I have a son who will be 2-3 when we get chicks. So friendly chickens would be a big plus. At least not overly nervous birds.
My main goal in keeping chickens is egg production. I would LOVE blue, green or any shade of brown. But that just a preference. Dual purpose breeds would be a plus.
In conclusion. I only want 6 chickens preferably. Either all the same breed or 2 different breeds (3 of each). Heat tolerant, egg producing, friendly, quiet, different color eggs, too fat to fly over a fence, okay with confinement. Is there a chicken that has it all? What sacrifices would you make if you can't have it all?
I have read many articles regarding appropriate breeds but honestly, everything seems contradictory. Perhaps it would be best if I listed my limitations and what I can offer a flock. I am hoping someone can advise me.
My situation:
I live in a suburb in the Deep South. I have neighbors relatively close and need a quieter breed. It is VERY hot and humid (zone 9), most of the year.
I would like to set up two runs on either side of my back yard so I could rotate the flock back and forth. Each run would about about 20ftx7ft and 5ft tall (coop in each). Both runs would be surrounded by oak and fig trees and I will be planting lots of chicken friendly plants. My point being that they will have lots of shade to escape the heat but I am unsure if that's enough.
I currently have a 4ft chain link fence but will be installing a 6ft privacy fence before we get chickens. I work from home and would LOVE to let them run around my yard when I am out to watch them. But I really would prefer birds that won't fly over the fence. It's bad enough when my dog hops into their yards lol.
But I also need them to be able to bear confinement. I don't want miserable cooped birds.
I have a son who will be 2-3 when we get chicks. So friendly chickens would be a big plus. At least not overly nervous birds.
My main goal in keeping chickens is egg production. I would LOVE blue, green or any shade of brown. But that just a preference. Dual purpose breeds would be a plus.
In conclusion. I only want 6 chickens preferably. Either all the same breed or 2 different breeds (3 of each). Heat tolerant, egg producing, friendly, quiet, different color eggs, too fat to fly over a fence, okay with confinement. Is there a chicken that has it all? What sacrifices would you make if you can't have it all?
