Raising Chickens in Florida

[lilofthestars]

Hello all I am new to raising chickens. We have 1 americana hen, 1 Rhode Island red rooster, 1 brama hen or rooster we do not know yet. They are about 2 months old. We are looking for 2 Brama hens around 2 months old. White or blue. We are in Hawthorne, near Gainsville and Ocala. If anyone has any please reply. By the way we have a chicken tractor we move every few days, and double wire on the bottom half.

 

[LadyAithne]

Hello,

Also in Florida, first time chickeneer here. Just got two RIR chicks today, after much time spent researching here on this site. Good to know about the shade (for when the young-ins go in their coop). Luckily we have plenty of trees in our backyard to accomplish this.

As it IS Florida and fairly warm year round, with occasional exceptions as we move into December, does anyone have any opinions on heaters for chicks? Are they needed in SWFL as much? I've made the chicks a little cave to huddle under, with fleece material. Additionally, opinions on when it's a good time age wise to move the chicks to the coop? Mine are currently about 2 weeks old. Oh, and we are in the North Fort Myers area.

the kids love 'em, and they are adorable.

Thanks in advance! We're so excited to be starting or backyard chicken adventure.

 

[mypurtychickens]

I live south central Florida. I have some heavy breeds and I have light breeds, as long as they are provided with shade and basic necessities, they ought to be fine. I bet they would love a fan though!

 

[mypurtychickens]

 

[bevis]

I live south central Florida. I have some heavy breeds and I have light breeds, as long as they are provided with shade and basic necessities, they ought to be fine. I bet they would love a fan though!

I live in coastal east florida about mid state.
we have the following breeds without issue - they have fans/ windows in their house and fans outside blowing on them.
In the winter they have an oil filled heater in their house.

Please ignore my terrible name spelling

Buff orpingtons
red sex link
cream legbar
black copper maran
americanas
barred rock
silver laced wyandots
langshan
cuckoo maran's
speckled sussex
Australorp
Barnevelder
Ancona

 

[duckmom123]

Beautiful!!!

 

[Arexkyo]

I used to live in St Petersburg Fl for 15 years, I currently live in New Port Richey 40 miles north. I have now 10 mutt hens, but used to have up to 50 hens of mostly heavy breeds here in NP Richey. Most of my property is shaded by granpa oaks. That's the key.
You do not need any buildings for chicks here, I use big wire cage with roof, solid back wall and perhaps side wall (wind protection) for night shelter, predator protection (racoons). They do not need any heat or cold shelter in our winters, just shelter from heavy winds, rain and predators.

As for breeds any breed will do, I would avoid heavy legfethered breeds like Cochins and Brachmas, but I know there are Brahma breeders in Fl so perhaps this is not the issue.

If you have no trees you have to provide some shading structure constructed the way it will catch any wind breeze, do not attempt to keep them in full sun. St Petersburg is hotter and more humid in summer than Pasco county where I live now.

How long do you wait to bring your chicks outside in Port Richey FL?