Texas

[fratermus]

Texan checking in (Richardson, Tx, just north of Dallas).

I made an introductory post , and will lay low until we pick up our first chicks later this month. Currently testing temps in the brooder and drawing up plans for the tractor.

I'll keep reading and see what breeds people raise in Tx.

 

[Doc Henry]

Quote:
Welcome fratermus I don't know of any breeds you couldn't raise in the dallas area, cochins don't like the heat much but seem to do fine as long as they have good shade. I raise some of everything and they all do well in central texas, the toughest birds are probably my naked necks and americanas they don't care how cold or hot it is they are happy. The naked necks are very good layers as well which is always a bonus. If you are in to bantams they all like the heat. All roosters should be watched in the cold they tend to not tuck their head under a wing and end up with frostbite on those really cold nights. Thats also a good reason to dub oegbs. Hope this helps good luck with the chicken tractor post some pics.

 

[far149]

Hi. I'm in Bedias...close to Huntsville and BCS.

Exhibition Black Ameraucanas, EE's, and soon Rose Comb Rhode Island Reds.

 

[texasgal]

Quote:

from Richards/Montgomery area.

 

[Doc Henry]

 

[fratermus]

Quote:
Thanks for the input, Doc. Plenty of shade in the back yard. Mature trees back there so it feels pretty nice back there most of the time. There's really only one place that gets full sun and I put my garden there.

Quote:
The naked necks seem practical, but I don't think I can sell the idea to the Dear Wife. At this point she thinks they're too ugly.

I think the local feed store is going to have Ameraucanas/EEs and might grab one next week when we pick up the peepers. Neither one of us particularly like featherlegged poultry so I think cochins are out.

Quote:
I do like the slim/erect lines of some of the game breeds and they same to do fine with heat (mediterranean breeding?) but they seem to be flightier and noisey. A quiet Mediterranean bird would suit me just right, but I don't know if they exist.


I'll post pics of our tractor once we get that figured out. Wife is in the other room arranging the brooder and testing the heatlamp distances.

 

[Doc Henry]

I'm not sure about all game breeds but the modern games seem to be very calm not flighty at all and they aren't any noisier than the other chickens, however not my first choice for backyard chickens they just aren't very productive egg layers. Go with the EEs they are all around good birds and everyone likes the pretty eggs. Sneak in a naked neck, I hated them at first but when they started laying I was sold on them, they are some of my friendliest birds along with buff orps.

 

[hipeatall]

Quote:
I agree, Easter Eggers are just all around awesome birds... I love mine... sweet girls... come running to meet me at the gate. Mine are 3 years old now and still lay regularly.
I have 14 bantam naked necks in the incubator and set to hatch this weekend... these will be my first NN's and I am really excited about this breed.

 

[anythingbutsandy]

I'm from Kyle, Texas. It's nice to see there are some local Hays Countians here!

 

[Peep Talk]

Glad to see that there are more Texans coming to the group!