would these breeds by good choices for Midwest city hens?

[ellent]

I am planning to start my first small flock this Spring. I live in Missouri, where our temperatures vary from below 0 sometimes in the winter, to over 100 degrees in the summer. My coop will be about 6x4, and my run about 6x10, plus I plan to use a 6x4 mobile run a few days per week (that will fit on my garden beds!). I am thinking of a Buff Orpington, a Partridge Plymouth Rock, a Dominique, and a Delaware, all of which I can get from local hatcheries. I am most concerned about the Delaware, as the climate listing on the breeds page says "heat." Would a New Hampshire Red be a better choice?

 

[ella]

Hi!

Sounds like a great flock. You're going to love them, chickens are so much fun!

My Delaware girls are great, of my two year olds, they're the only ones laying right now and it's cold (10*F) out. It really more depends on your coop than your breed choices. I'm in Minnesota and have Phoenix, Hamburgs, and Andalusians along with my Rocks and RIR's. The little guys do just as well as the biggies, just spend a little less time outside.

If your coop is well built with good insulation and ventilation, and the option of heating for the coldest parts of winter-just to put your mind at ease- you can have pretty much any breed you want!

 

[muddyhorse]

from a fellow missourian. we live just south of STL. any of those breeds would be just fine here. the only problems I ever have is frostbite on roo combs. as long as nobody has a huge comb ( leghorn roos are bad for this) you will be fine. the only problem I see is you only want 4 , started there now we have 50

good luck are you getting them from cackle ?