Temperament vs. Heat Tolerance

[RNPAULIE69]

Orpington's don't have large combs. They have medium, if that, combs.

It's not a rose or pea comb, that is what I meant..its a pretty big comb. Bigger than Sussex or welsummer

 

[Welshies]

It's not a rose or pea comb, that is what I meant..its a pretty big comb. Bigger than Sussex or welsummer

It's not a big comb, though. Orpingtons have small combs. Bigger than Sussex or Welsummer, maybe, but still a small comb.

 

[Welshies]

OP, here's a list of breeds. Do some research on their temperaments.
Leghorn rooster:

Rhode Island Red hen:

Ancona hen:

Naked Necks (Turkens):

Campine Rooster:

Minorca hen:

Andalusian Chickens:

Australorp Roo:

The larger the comb the more heat-hardy a breed is.

 

[Morrigan]

My orpington's survived an extremely hot summer of multiple 100+ degree days last year. It was a dry heat, however, and I put a mister fan in their yard. The first hot day was hard on them--hard on the whole flock actually--but they seemed to acclimate as the summer went on.

 

[Welshies]

My orpington's survived an extremely hot summer of multiple 100+ degree days last year. It was a dry heat, however, and I put a mister fan in their yard. The first hot day was hard on them--hard on the whole flock actually--but they seemed to acclimate as the summer went on.

Generally speaking most medium or large combed breeds will do okay. However, the smaller the comb the more high maintenance they might be. If the OP is set on Orpingtons, I suggest investing in a good mister for the first 2 or 3 years and selectively breeding (or choosing the right stock) for larger combs.

 

[dunnmom]

Here in central OK, my Buff Orpingtons can handle the hottest days, but they need help getting through it. A few of my hens have HUGE combs! It would help to know what other folks in your area of TX have to say about how their breeds handle the weather extremes. Have you checked with your state thread yet?

 

[ddschicks]

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens has a breed chart in the front, and since I use this book a lot to reference things, maybe what it has to say will help you? There are sections for "forager" "climate" and "temperament", which seem like the deciding factors for you. Ill put what the book says in these categories below for the breeds that have been mentioned.
Orpington:

"breed forages well"​

, "cold hardy/breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets"

RIR:

"breed forages well"​

, "breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets/breed known to have aggressive individuals"

Leghorns: "breed forages well", "heat tolerant/breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "breed that tends to be flighty to a greater or lesser extent"

Australorps: (nothing under forager), "Cold hardy", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets"

Naked Necks: "breed forages well", "temperate", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets"

Ancona: "breed will forage for a high percentage of sustenance", "hardy",

"breed that tends to be flighty to a greater or lesser extent"​

Campine: "breed forages well", "breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets"

Mincora: "breed will forage for a high percentage of sustenance", "heat tolerant/breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "breed that tends to be flighty to a greater or lesser extent"

Andalusian: "breed will forage for a high percentage of sustenance", "heat tolerant/breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "breed that tends to be flighty to a greater or lesser extent"
​

(also as a side note both the ancona, mincora, and the leghorn "lay exceptionally well" so if you're looking to get lots of eggs, they are good for that.)

Hope this helps

 

[Fairview01]

I live 30 miles due north of Dallas. I have wheaten Marans, white Plymouth rocks, large fowl white Cornish and 2 black broilers that escaped process day.

None of them showed any type of heat stress this summer. No special considerations like ice cubes, frozen veggies, or water misting bars. I dont have time for that nonsense. I have an elevated coop located under hackberry trees. There is no concrete and they have shade at all times.

During the summer if I need to do something I do it either before sunrise, after sunset. Easiest way to kill them is to Jack with them during midday.

The body temperature of a chicken is around 106 give or take. The comb is a 2 way street when it comes to hear. At least than body temperature the comb cools the chicken. s ambient temperature approaches body temperature, heat is released slower. At or above the body temperature, no heat is released or it is absorbed by the comb.

Doesn't matter what the breed it is. When its hot and you jack with them get them all fired up, there is a good chance of heat stroke.

 

[centrarchid]

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens has a breed chart in the front, and since I use this book a lot to reference things, maybe what it has to say will help you? There are sections for "forager" "climate" and "temperament", which seem like the deciding factors for you. Ill put what the book says in these categories below for the breeds that have been mentioned.
Orpington:

"breed forages well"​

, "cold hardy/breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets"

RIR:

"breed forages well"​

, "breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets/breed known to have aggressive individuals"

Leghorns: "breed forages well", "heat tolerant/breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "breed that tends to be flighty to a greater or lesser extent"

Australorps: (nothing under forager), "Cold hardy", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets"

Naked Necks: "breed forages well", "temperate", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets"

Ancona: "breed will forage for a high percentage of sustenance", "hardy",

"breed that tends to be flighty to a greater or lesser extent"​

Campine: "breed forages well", "breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "generally docile and suitable for backyard situations and as pets"

Mincora: "breed will forage for a high percentage of sustenance", "heat tolerant/breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "breed that tends to be flighty to a greater or lesser extent"

Andalusian: "breed will forage for a high percentage of sustenance", "heat tolerant/breeds having cocks with large combs prone to frostbite", "breed that tends to be flighty to a greater or lesser extent"
​

(also as a side note both the ancona, mincora, and the leghorn "lay exceptionally well" so if you're looking to get lots of eggs, they are good for that.)

Hope this helps

This is the point I would start from. If color can be selected, avoid black. Also prefer birds that are lighter in build. Temperament can be adjust for my working to minimize things that stress the birds such as scaring them by rapid movements. If free-range keeping then ensure they have shaded places to loaf that also have good air flow.

 

[dunnmom]

I give my Orps a flat plastic tub like the under bed storage type to wade in when the temps are 95 or hotter. On the hottest days, I put in a frozen water or juice bottle. They don't wade in it as much as they drink from it, but they appreciate it nonetheless. They have a sand run, and I hose it down when the temps are near 100 or more, but my whole setup is under a shade tree, so they don't have a lot of direct sunlight on them. It helps. I used to use a mister, but when the humidity is high and there's no breeze, it doesn't do a lick of good.