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Restarting Layers in Central Texas

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by emitch, Aug 23, 2014.

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  1. Aug 23, 2014 #1
    emitch

    emitch New Egg

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    Although I've had chickens for several years, I didn't do it well. I'm new to this forum, I want to re-start, and have several questions. I just want 4 - 6 birds, but breed(s) that lay consistently for a long time, as my wife currently opposes us eating the flock. I have the housing and feeding worked out, but:

    1) What layer breeds do best in Central Texas heat?
    2) When is the best time to start a flock in our area?
     
  3. Aug 23, 2014 #2
    BantamLover21

    BantamLover21 Overrun With Chickens

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    [​IMG] Glad you joined us! [​IMG]

    I don't live in Texas, so I can't answer your questions very well. However, good luck with your future flock!
     
  5. Aug 23, 2014 #3
    NycGrlTrNCuntry

    NycGrlTrNCuntry Out Of The Brooder

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    Plymouth Rock/barred rock, are good Brown egg layers I also have white leg horns there good white egg layers as well, I live in Louisiana the heat out here and out in Texas is way different as long as the girls have a lot of cool water and plenty of shade helps alot
     
  7. Aug 23, 2014 #4
    Wyandottes7

    Wyandottes7 Overrun With Chickens

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    Welcome to BYC! [​IMG]We're glad to have you.

    The best birds for Texas would probably be the single combed breeds, especially the Mediteranean breeds. This includes White Leghorns, Minorcas, and Andalusians. Other choices would be Red Sex-Links and Black Sex-Links, Plymouth Rocks, and Rhode Island Reds.

    Ideally, you don't want to get a heavy feathered breed like the Orpington, Cochin, or Wyandotte. These are better suited for cold winters, not hot summers.
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2014
  9. Aug 23, 2014 #5
    TwoCrows

    TwoCrows Show me the way old friend... Staff Member

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    Hello there and welcome to BYC! [​IMG]

    You might want to chat with your chicken neighbors in your state thread to see what breeds do best in your heat and climate....https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/877040/texas-byc-cafe

    Lots of hardy breeds out there that do well in the heat. I keep Black Australorps here in New Mexico and they have done quite well as long as they have shade. Aussies are great layers as well. Buff Orpingtons and Barred Rocks are great layers and also do well in the heat.

    Here are a couple of breeds pages you might want to take a look at. Lots of quick info on their attributes...

    http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

    http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

    Have you stopped by our learning center yet? Lots of good articles on all the aspects of keeping chickens....https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

    Enjoy this new adventure you are on and good luck with your flock!
     
  11. Aug 23, 2014 #6
    Kelsie2290

    Kelsie2290 True BYC Addict Premium Member

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    Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC!
     
  13. Aug 23, 2014 #7
    Mountain Peeps

    Mountain Peeps Change is inevitable, like the seasons Premium Member

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    Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

    You can really start your flock anytime. In your area you may want to try in winter or spring so the chicks are not in excessive heat.

    Black australorps, leghorns, andalusians and sex links are all good breeds for the heat. Breeds with bigger combs are what you are after as the bigger the comb, the cooler the bird. (Their combs act as temperature regulators.)
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2014
  15. Aug 23, 2014 #8
    needlessjunk

    needlessjunk Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Welcome, I'm in the Austin area but don't have chickens yet so am of no help.
     
  17. Aug 29, 2014 #9
    drumstick diva

    drumstick diva Still crazy after all these years. Premium Member

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  19. Aug 30, 2014 #10
    Michael OShay

    Michael OShay Chicken Obsessed

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    Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. My wife and I were both raised in the great state of Texas. I have had dozens of breeds over the years, and the hardiest of them all is the Black Australorp. In addition to raising them in Texas, I also raised them in northern Kansas where the temperature dropped to 30F below zero one winter, and in CA where summer temperatures frequently reached 117-118F (123F once), and in both climate extremes they came through like troopers. In addition to being incredibly hardy, they are very calm and gentle. My children, and now my granddaughter, made lap pets out of them. And they are the best layers of the standard, brown egg laying breeds. A Black Australorp holds the brown egg laying record with 364 eggs in 365 days, and while none of mine have ever reached that kind of production (and likely never will), I have still had a few of them lay over 300 eggs in a year. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Whatever breeds you decide to get, good luck with your flock.
     
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