SUPER CHICKEN!!!
Advice on this topic is more than welcome!
Ugh, this is Freepers not Cheapers girl.
I’d immediately rule out Rhode Island Reds. We live in Sacramento and our girls can’t handle the 10-30 100+ days per year and have to come inside where it’s air conditioned. They are paper trained so this is not a big deal, just watch where you step in the kitchen!
I prefer the kind that comes in little plastic bags, already plucked and cleaned. :->
I would advise that the chickens carry sidearms for coyote protection. Or alternately, any breed able to kill a dog
sized animal..
It’s about time someone opened a chicken ranch in Texas, we’ve been needing a new one for a while.
SUPER CHICKEN!!!
If you want chickens that can survive hot temperatures, I would think that white chickens would be best (reflect heat better)—maybe Leghorns.
Call your county extension agent.
http://texasextension.tamu.edu/
http://texasextension.tamu.edu/county/
Also see this chart Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
I am also in Central Texas (Waco) and have a small flock of Rhode Island Reds. They are pretty docile (even the roosters) and a couple of mine went broody last spring (although I didn’t let them keep the eggs). I’m going to let one of them raise some chicks this year just to see how it goes.
They seem to do ok in the heat as long as they have some shade and plenty of water. I bought a waterer like this at the local feedstore.
http://www.strombergschickens.com/images/founts/FT2500_L.jpg
It’s easy to clean and works well except when it gets too cold, then I have to shut it off and use a gravity type waterer.
One thing I would mention is to make your chicken house and run into Fort Knox. A few years ago, over a period of about 2 months, we lost a flock of 2 dozen chickens to raccoons, dogs, and hawks. When we bought more chicks again this spring, we built a very secure house and run and I now have the bravest chickens in the west. My irish wolfhound jumps at the fence and barks at them and they just look at him. Sometimes if he gets too close they peck his nose and he gets his feelings hurt.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Good luck!
I would suggest Buff Orpingtons - I have them and not only are they a larger bird, but they are very family friendly.
Mine are averaging 80% laying an egg a day right now - and increasing as we approach spring.
Oh, Central Texas does get colder in the winter too - they can handle it.
You might be interested in a couple of FR threads on this type of subject, including gardening, chickens, goats, recipes, and lots and lots more...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1990507/posts?page=1
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?q=1&;page=1
Black Australorps is what I raise. Just got 100 from Ideal Hatchery. Big calm birds, lay big brown eggs (I like brown eggs). Laid all summer until Ike hit us. Good around children, the roosters are calm.
www.backyardchickens.com
www.homesteadingtoday.com
I would suggest Buff Orpingtons - I have them and not only are they a larger bird, but they are very family friendly.
Mine are averaging 80% laying an egg a day right now - and increasing as we approach spring.
Oh, Central Texas does get colder in the winter too - they can handle it.
You might be interested in a couple of FR threads on this type of subject, including gardening, chickens, goats, recipes, and lots and lots more...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1990507/posts?page=1
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2181392/posts?q=1&;page=1
Marie darlin’, you just started one of FR’s famous thousand post threads. Sit back and enjoy the show, these are always a lot of fun.
Why don’t you see what the neighbors raise?
