Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Chicken breed advice for Texas?
me | 2-17-09 | self

Posted on 02/17/2009 11:58:23 AM PST by Marie

I need some advice on chicken breeds. Where I live in Central Texas, in the summer it’s not uncommon for us to have a 6 week run of high temperatures going over 100’. So here’s what I’m looking for in my dual-purpose hens:

- I want girls that are temperature hardy that can handle the heat. (I know that I’m going to have to help any chicken survive a severe, prolonged heat-wave, [fresh water, misters, shade, etc.] but I don’t want to suffer 50% losses just because I was stupid enough to get birds which were never bred to handle it in the first place.) They also have to be able to survive a cold snap. (I’m not as worried about the cold. We’ll have a very well constructed coop with electricity.)
- I’m looking for decent layers who would average 80-100 medium eggs a year. (An egg every three or four days. Not asking for much there.)
- Good brooders/excellent mothers. Forget any breeds which are non-setters.
- Friendly enough to be approached by humans. (I’d prefer more docile birds, but I know that we can’t have everything we want. I’d rather have tough birds that live than sweet birds that can’t survive.)

For my roosters, I’m considering getting a completely different breed than that of the hens. These guys need to be just as weather-hardy, but MUCH friendlier and size-compatible with the hens.


TOPICS: Agriculture; Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: chickens; farming; poultry; texas
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-62 last
To: DelaWhere

The plan is to build the coop with the covered, attached run. We want to put in a gate that opens out to the garden. When we’re home during the day, the chickens can wander over a rather large area and help in the garden. If we’re not home, they’ll still have a secure run.

We want to build a small, portable chicken tractor for the ones who are sick or being picked on.

My daughter’s boyfriend’s mom just brings the inside when they’re not doing so well. I’ll put a cage in the house for a really sick bird.


61 posted on 02/18/2009 11:19:44 AM PST by Marie ("When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: Marie

Build a chicken tractor, move it often.

I like the CornishX from
http://www.schlechthatchery.com/
8 weeks and they go to “Freezer Camp”!

If you want a longer maturing breed try the Colored Range Broilers from http://www.jmhatchery.com/ ready in 81 days, no leg problems like the CornishX and they like to move around more and scratch like a chicken. Not as “meaty” as the others, but good flavor. Huge discussion on http://www.backyardchickens.com/ in the forums under “Meat Birds”


62 posted on 02/18/2009 5:19:26 PM PST by stickandrudder (Another Bitter-Clinger --------------- Molon Labe)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-62 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson