TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources
amy elizabeth
If you are only interested in egg production than you may not want to purchase chicks that have broody tendencies. Broody hens can be troublesome, so if your not looking for a mother hen, here are the breeds you may want to avoid.
Standard Size Breeds
• Buff Rocks
• Cochins
• Buff Orpingtons
• Dark Cornish
• Light Brahmas
• Cuckoo Marans
• Turkens
• Buff Brahmas
Bantams
• Silkies
• Cochin Bantams
• Cornish Bantams
Most chicken keepers are more concerned about cold tolerant breeds. But if you live in the Sonoran desert, the scorching heat is by far a bigger problem. Before you order your Spring chicks keep in mind these three breeds for heat hardiness. They’ve proved to me over and over to be the real survivors of the flock.
Best
• Ameraucana
• Dominique (Best of heavy breeds)
• Polish
Heavy birds are harder to keep in hot weather, especially if they are confined. They may survive, but heat stress does effect egg production. However, it’s not always just heavy breeds I find intolerant. These are the breeds I’ve had the least success with in extreme temperatures of 110 – 117.
Worst
• Orpington
• Leghorn
• Rhode Island
I’ve eliminated the Rhode Islands from my flock not because they don’t survive the heat… they absolutely do. However, they become extremely agitated in brutal heat and all the other members of the flock pay the price. This breed may lay all summer without interruption, but they can sure disrupt the harmony of a flock when they are uncomfortable in high temperatures.
In my opinion, the real trooper in the worst weather conditions is the Ameraucana, and they’re good layers too! But don’t pick this breed if your looking for a pal, this is the loser breed as far as I’m concerned! The perfect word describing this breed is ALOOF.
The Ameraucana, or often called the Easter Egger lays blue/green eggs, and you can expect approximately four medium-large eggs per week.
Learn more about the Ameraucana.
The Orpington is one of my favorite breeds. They are very sweet, friendly, and seldom bullies towards the other members of the flock. However, living in the desert where the temperatures reach well over 110 they have proven their tolerance for heat to be quite low. Especially considering they can be broody and won’t leave the coop where temperatures can be life threatening. Every situation is different and they may be fine as free range chickens with plenty of shade and water.
Details of the Buff Orpington:
Type: Large Fowl & Bantam
Size: 7-8 pounds
Purpose: Dual (meat or egg production)
Recognized Varieties: Buff, Black, Blue, White, (buff is most common.)
Egg Factoids:
Color: Brown
Size: Large
Frequency: 3-4 per week
Breed Features:
Feathered Legs: No
Crested: No
Comb Type: Single Comb
Number of Toes: 4
Character & Traits:
Accepts confinement well
Cold Hardy
Heat tolerant to 100 degrees
Docile, friendly
Broody / Setter
Good layers through the winter
