Replacement- Heat tolerant, colored egg chickens

[MysteryChicken]

I think it's more of an environment conditions thing rather then comb type as I've seen no difference.

 

[Amer]

Okay, that is fascinating. I trust you- since a lot of material I read is from what I call the 'peanut gallery'. We are our coolest 74 (night), and go up to 95ish (with very high humidity year round, but more so in the rainy season which temps can go up higher, African dust, and humidity makes the air thick through part of the season).


Okay- for some reason I did not know they laid blue eggs! I love the hairdo.

You're from Africa? Well that would limit the breed selection then, they definitely wouldn't have cuckoo Bluebell Eggers there, that's a designer breed from My Pet Chicken.

It's absolutely insane for me to to hear 38 C described as even "relatively" comfortable.

Seems like you have just coincidence. My birds both single, pea/walnut all seem to deal with the heat equally. Going to shade, water, opening wings, panting, & dust bathing whenever they feel like they need to stay cool. Even if they feel like it's necessary they'll go back inside the coop, & laze around, or hang by the indoor water bowl to stay cool.

My second coop does the same thing as the other group.

I think Maine summers are a lot different from what they're describing...

 

[fluffycrow]

I've noticed something similar with my jungle fowl. They've been on the property for generations, but honestly—they’re incredibly skittish, even though one was raised from an egg alongside my other chicks. Still not exactly friendly and definitely the most high-strung of the bunch.

My Egger, who has a pea comb, seems to struggle the most with the heat. She constantly looks uncomfortable, and I have to keep a close eye on her to make sure she's eating and drinking. She tends to retreat into the shade along with my New Hampshire Red mix when the temperature climbs.

In contrast, my rooster (a Marans, Leghorn, and Splash mix) and my Rhode Island Red seem totally unbothered by the heat. They both have larger combs, which might be helping with heat regulation.

Just to give some perspective—my husband is from Thessaloniki, and we still have a home in Pefkohori that we rent out. We’re very familiar with hot summers, but even our relatives from Greece were shocked when they visited us here. The first thing they said when they stepped outside was, "Αυτό είναι πιο ζεστό από την Αθήνα"... might be due to humidity makes it 'feel' hotter.
That is what attracted me to the Cuckoo Bluebar Blue-Egger. Slender, but great structure, and gray (my favorite color).

I am weighing the ideas everyone has. But I am not interested in more junglefowl- I see them all day long on every corner, of ever street and parking lot with tiny/small light brown eggs... I hatched one. She is, how do I say this... 'Annoying'.

I’m sure that your temps are even worse than what we have, that’s why I really wouldn’t go for any smaller combed breeds, and certainly no “fluffy” chickens. Humidity is probably what makes the heat more unbearable, I agree.

I totally understand not wanting more junglefowl-like birds. I’m not familiar with the Egger mix you mentioned, but if you say its build seems compatible, then it could work very well. You could think about mixing some Egyptian Fayoumi in them as well.

I love that your relatives from the συμπρωτεύουσα thought of Athens as the city to compare your temperatures with. We’re relatively close to the capital, so we go there regularly, and yes. The temperatures, especially in the centre of Athens are unbearable. 5 minutes out there and am already drenched in sweat! I’m sure that you are dealing with worse, though, as I’ve never felt Athens to be incredibly humid

 

[CabritaChicks]

You're from Africa? Well that would limit the breed selection then, they definitely wouldn't have cuckoo Bluebell Eggers there, that's a designer breed from My Pet Chicken.

It's absolutely insane for me to to hear 38 C described as even "relatively" comfortable.

I think Maine summers are a lot different from what they're describing...

LOL, no I am not from Africa. I live in US virgin Islands, and the news doesnt make it to states I suppose- dust from africa travels all the way here, and even to florida/texas. Here is a dust map from awhile back, but it has intensified:

Happens every year, but this year has been particularly troublesome- which means it suppressed rain (to clean the atmosphere) but not humidity.

Here, yes- people vacation here during the nice times- they relish the foliage, the beaches- and go into air conditioned vacation hotels. But dont forget- we get HOT. But we always have a very good breeze- never stagnant.

Edit: yeah Im one the the dots you cant see in that curve because we are too small....

 

[CabritaChicks]

I’m sure that your temps are even worse than what we have, that’s why I really wouldn’t go for any smaller combed breeds, and certainly no “fluffy” chickens. Humidity is probably what makes the heat more unbearable, I agree.

Yep—they can’t stand Athens because of the heat, but they all swear my climate feels even hotter because of the humidity. I guess it’s all in the eye—or skin—of the beholder!

 

[ophio]

For context, we're in the deep south re: high heat and humidity.

We got out of chickens a few years ago because of heat issues, and had similar thoughts when selecting breeds this time around. Out of the current collection of leghorns, ameraucanas, turkens and barnyard mixes, the tukens are 100% thriving in the heat/humidity when the other chickens are off panting in the shade. Definitely not the prettiest birds, but super friendly. Everyone here has taken to saying 'they're so ugly they're cute.'

Unfortunately brown eggs, but we're crossing them with an EE rooster for next year's chicks. (The ameraucana hens we have now have all quit laying in the heat.)

 

[Perris]

On the aesthetic side, I’m especially drawn to gray-colored chickens—they're just so striking

which lays blue eggs and often comes in that lovely silvery-gray coloration

Have you considered Lavender Araucana? If you do, note that there are different US and UK standards; the UK one does have a tail, and does not have the lethal ear tuft gene. They originate in South America, so you may have reasonably local sources. They lay blue/ green eggs - and they are usually the source of the blue egg gene in other, recently created breeds such as the Cream Legbar.

Personality is a bonus too

Our Lavender Araucana has a big personality. She is the matriarch despite being the smallest hen in the flock. She is now 8 years old and is still laying - about 40 eggs so far this year. She also plays aunty to any chick that needs a bit of TLC.

 

[tlcmurphy]

I was thinking Ameraucanas. They come in lavender as will as blue and splash. They lay beautiful blue/green eggs and are smaller birds that don’t seem bothered by the heat here (90s all summer).

Also you mention you have a Marans. These also come in Cuckoo, Blue and Splash and lay dark brown eggs (Cuckoo lay brown speckled eggs).

 

[CabritaChicks]

Have you considered Lavender Araucana? If you do, note that there are different US and UK standards; the UK one does have a tail, and does not have the lethal ear tuft gene. They originate in South America, so you may have reasonably local sources. They lay blue/ green eggs - and they are usually the source of the blue egg gene in other, recently created breeds such as the Cream Legbar.

View attachment 4181019

They are beautiful!
I considered it, but with no comb, and the extra fluff I kinda dismissed it. There is no way in hell I can order from South America- lol- 2,000 mile journey from non-friendly countries, plus $1,000 customs clearance, (manditory vet clearance fees- $500), etc for 6 chickens? plus their price, quarantine (meaning I cant raise them.... they would be over 1 month old before they got to me).

I am in the US Virgin Islands- 3 hour flight to Florida. So I can order from certain hatcheries stateside. But not abroad, including from adjacent virgin islands (like marteen, etc)

 

[MysteryChicken]

You're from Africa? Well that would limit the breed selection then, they definitely wouldn't have cuckoo Bluebell Eggers there, that's a designer breed from My Pet Chicken.

It's absolutely insane for me to to hear 38 C described as even "relatively" comfortable.

I think Maine summers are a lot different from what they're describing...

Maine Summers are alot like Michigan. I was just trying to point out it's more then likely individual birds, & environment related rather then comb type.