Is there a breed for me?

[Halfpasthen]

The first breeds I thought of were Buff Orps and Easter Eggers, but don't forget to look into Barred Rocks and Speckled or Light Sussex. My BR was the sweetest chicken ever and I've heard such amazing things about Speckled Sussex that I want to get that breed in the future. If you can't decide, you could always go with a mixed flock. Similar dual-purpose breeds get along fine even in a very small flock, especially if they're raised together from chicks. The most problems arise when the birds are not similar... like mixing crested Polish, silkies or bantams with other large fowl.

Any chicken is capable of flying over a fence, so a secure covered run is a great idea. If you're worried about escape from your backyard, you could always clip one wing. One of my little EEs would fly over the gate from their chicken yard to my backyard, but once I clipped, she never tried it again. And in nearly 3 years of chicken keeping and letting them free range in my small suburban backyard, I've never had a single bird try to fly over the fence to escape, clipped or not. They love being on the grass! Even loose in the front yard with no fence, they never wander too far.

If you're thinking about building 2 runs to rotate between, why not make them connected to a single coop with a pop door on each end? That's how I built mine (see link under my avatar). It makes it easy for me to integrate new birds, or keep one separate if I need to. The expense of building multiple coops and runs can add up quick. Why do you want to rotate runs? To keep the grass green? Unfortunately, I think even just a few chickens will have that space all worn down over time... they are notorious destroyers of greenery. Nothing wrong with one larger run and using deep litter, it's very easy maintenance. Plus you will end up with some amazing compost!

Keep in mind that all chickens will decrease their egg production over time, especially during winter and molting season... some may even stop laying entirely after just a few years. If you're willing to rotate your flock regularly, this article may give you some ideas:
A 3 Year Chicken Rotation to Optimize Year-Round Laying

Good luck with your planning!

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I love the speckled Sussex! My dog is speckled so I'm quite partial to the pattern.

I think the wing clipping idea is fantastic and the added peace of mind I need.

I can definitely connect the two runs. My thought process was that with two smaller runs made of lighter weight material would be moveable. That way once the birds had produced a fair bit of compost I could switch them to another run, move the old run and easily access all of the compost. Though you are right that two runs aren't necessary. I wanted to have moveable preferably bottomless coops for the same reason. With the heat and humidity it doesn't take long for it to start wreaking be of ammonia

 

[Halfpasthen]

Reeking*

Sorry I hit reply before I finished typing. I just wanted to add I Am open to all opinions and recommendations.

 

[Halfpasthen]

I'd look up Faverolles. I'm not sure as to their heat tolerance, but most owners class them as exceptionally docile.

I'll look into their heat tolerance. I've never seen anything like that kept around here but they are undeniably precious.

 

[Halfpasthen]

I live in Austin TX and it gets over 100 for days on end during the summer. As long as the chickens have plenty of fresh water, shade, and places to take dirt baths they do remarkably well. My Buff Orpington and easter eggers were fine.

I agree with the flight risk though. Even my tiny bantam can clear my back fence given enough motivation.

Thank you for putting my mind at ease! I can't stand the thought of them suffering in the heat. However the fig trees really are quite dense and cast a LOT of shade.

 

[Nardo]

Just to add my experience. I'm in Texas. I've had BR, Australorpe, Delaware, Welsummer, White Rock and Easter Eggers. The Welsummers, by far, suffer the most in the heat. But their eggs are speckled brown and maybe you aren't really looking for brown layers anyway so..
But Good luck!

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Black minorcas
Decent egg layers, heat tolerant, friendly,social and quiet.

This is swifty, I gave her away as a Christmas present, I really regret giving her away now.

 

[Ribh]

Australorps were bred for Australian conditions. I am sub tropical & they cope very well with that. They are dual purpose, lay a largish brown egg, & are docile & friendly. I have grandkids so friendly birds was a must for me. They occasionally get over my 3' fence but then wander up & down it trying to get back over & rejoin the flock. A wing clip would probably solve my problem but they generally stay where they belong.

 

[FlyWheel]

I live in South Carolina. Not the deep south but it still get's up into the 90's 100' in the summer (down to as low as 20 in the winter). I have Easter Eggers, a Cuckoo Marans, Rhode Island red and Black Australorp. I don't air condition or heat my coop and they have all done fine with it. Chickens are remarkably adapdable animals

 

[Halfpasthen]

3 Easter eggers, 3 Buff Orpingtons , a cover on your pens, and you will be good to go.

Thank you for your input. I loved the idea of having 2 breeds and a little egg variety.

 

[Halfpasthen]

Thank you all so very much. I knew posting here I would get a lot of great feedback. A lot of you have recommended breeds I've never even heard of which is fantastic and I have a lot of research to do before making a decision. Guess I have to give my husband the illusion of input as well lol.
This community is a treasure trove of information and I'm sure I have hours of reading ahead of me. Loving all of your ideas so far and I'm eager to learn more.