Recomendations for laying hens in Houston, TX

[Johannah]

Hi,

I'd like to get three laying hens for my suburban back yard. They'd need to be alright in heat and humidity (this is Texas, after all), docile and easy to handle would be nice, and smallish would be good but not a must. I'd need birds that were unlikely to want to climb over my fence. Contentedness with staying in my yard is near the top of the list. I'd like at least decent layers. They don't have to be industrial power houses, but I'm not looking for "just pets". The old fashioned girl in me would prefer and heirloom breed, but that's not totally necessary.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks so much!

~Johannah

 

[TXmom]

Hi Neighbor! I live just west of Houston. My chicks are still young (6.5 weeks old) so I don't personally know all the answers, but my guess would be Buff Orpingtons. They are friendly and docile and I don't think they'll fly when they get older. I have 2 and they are sooooo sweet. Right now, they will fly up to my shoulder, but I'm pretty sure they'll get heavier and lose the ability to fly like that. I've heard that they are decent layers of brown eggs.

Hmmmmmm, on the other hand, they might go broody often and that might not be something you want to deal with...that's up to you. I'm excited about mine eventually going broody and hatching out some chicks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

First, the My Pet Chicken breed selector

http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx

Then the Henderson Breed Chart

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Almost any hen will do OK in the heat and humidity you have as long as they get shelter from the high winds, shade, and good ventilation.

The heavier breeds will eat more than the smaller breeds but the smaller breeds tend to fly more. Wing clipping can help keep them in.

From what you describe, you might consider the Dominique. There are plenty of others that would also be a good choice. The Sussex is an English breed, but it would also be worth a close look.

 

[cmom]

Here is a great reference book, Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent guide, as well as this web site. This site is an excellent source of information.

Also here are some other good sites and info.
Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html
http://www.mypetchicken.com/aboutChickens.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/lcenter.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[hippychickenfarmer]

i live in bastrop texas.

i have a red star started, a black star started, a white and a brown leghorn, a silver laced wyandotte and an ameraucana. all are quite lovely a do well. make sure that your coop provides good ventilation. i set up fans for my girls in the heat of the summer.