The Hardiest of Breeds...

[Tracydr]

The naked necks are very heat hardy, handled some miserable cold in SW OK, when I had them, lay a huge brown egg, are super friendly and are just an over-all good bird that seems to get overlooked, probably because of their homeliness.

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

May I suggest you cover the top of your run before you worry about purchasing chicks/eggs.

 

[saladin]

Quote:
for just pure hardiness, and survival abilities, and hot and cold tolerence, you flat out cant beat a game bird...American Game would be your best bet. The hens will to broody, hatch their own young and are very protective, and the roosters are awesome flock protectors

GG is surely correct: nothing beats a Game for vigour and hardiness; which is why they have been added to most everything else!

I'm in SC. Unless you are on the coast then I'm always hotter than you, but not quite as cold in winter. Besides Games, I'd suggest Cubalayas or any of the Orientals breeds, particulary Asil.

Hard to beat an Asil; oldest documented breed in the world and still with us................ I'd say that is hardy!

 

[flowerchild59]

I have similar heat and cold here in southern IL as you in NC. We can have heat in triple digits for weeks and single digits or worse throughout the winter.
I am choosing sussex, marans and chanteclers and have some true ameracunas ordered. I also would consider the buckeye. I am looking for a true dual purpose bird.

 

[happycountryhens]

I have ameraucanas, orpingtons, ee's and a gamebird hen.

The gamebird is unaffected by temps in the 90's, Hot, Humid and Hazy. She also did well this past winter when we had temps that were 20 below zero (we do not have heat in our coop or electricity). She lays a light brown small to medium egg almost daily summer or winter. She is also an escapee, so make sure you have a tight outside pen with a roof on it.

The Orpingtons are this years chicks and have weathered the high temps well.

The Ameraucanas and EE's have gotten a little hot, standing with wings out or laying down in the really hot weather. They are supposed to be very cold hardy. They are also this years chicks.

Last year I had some RIR's and a Red Star hen. They got a bit hot in the hottest part of the summer. We do get temps in the 100's and it is always very humid when we do. The high temps just don't last for many days here. They did very well in the winter, but I had to vasaline the combs when the weather dipped below zero.

If you want true ameraucanas, check out the ameraucana thread. Also check out the thread for your state and you may find someone near you that has some for sale. If you are not looking for show birds, you can get some excellent purebreds that didn't make the show grade from a breeder for a reasonable price.