Keeping Chickens in Hot Climates & The Best Hot Weather Breeds

Steve & Brian don't live in a hot climate...not even close! But they have experienced warm climate living and know a bit about how to jeep a flock in the heat and which breeds do best in those conditions.

#HobbyFarm #backyardchickens #homestead

[catherinetindall]

We have black Austrolorps in Coastal MS. They have done very well. I have to admit, they stay on the smallish side, but they are good layers and seem very healthy compared to some of our others. I know this is an old video, but I just wanted to pop in and say hi. We are looking to add to our flocks and you have given us something to think about.

[CFarnwide]

I’m in Utah and we get extended periods of solid 100+ degree weather every year. We do the frozen milk jugs. This year I tried burying the jugs in a few inches of soil. It provides a nice cool spot for them to sit on and the soil insulated the jug making the ice last for 6-8 hours. Our Easter Eggers loved it! 😎

[Gman-qmbv]

The first chicken breed in America, the Dominicker (Dominique). They handle the heat and cold very well.

[donnaa]

I have frozen water sprinkled with black oil sunflower seeds so that the chickens will peck at the seeds and as a result they are eating the ice and helping themselves to stay cool. Also have a large rubber bowl and placed some landscape bricks inside and fill halfway with water or ice. They will stand on the bricks and cool down with having to fully submerge their feet in the water.

[cindypye]

We live in Louisiana where our summers are high and humid 90's - 100's. When we had chickens we raised Black Autralorps. They were great layers and meat chickens and were very docile and enjoyable. We had a securely covered pen; half solid cover and half chicken wire cover. All of it was under some trees. They didn't seem to have trouble with the heat here. I think if a person wants to raise one of the larger breeds they do need to be willing to go to the extra effort for shade and cooling in the summer in hot climates. We had to rehome them when our son graduated high school and we didn't have the time to take care of them. When we get chickens again Black Australorps is definitely the breed we will go for..

[vociferonheraldofthewintermist]

A few years ago we got hit with a heat wave here in Arizona that was beating our most experienced fowlers. (Sustained temps 110-120F for WAY longer than our normal) Misters, shade, ice water, and frozen treats weren't doing it this time. Birds were dying left and right and people were panicking. One poor woman surrendered and brought her *entire* flock into her house. It was not a small flock.

A fellow in Tucson figured out a trick that worked fantastically. Chickens won't go into the water to cool off, but he figured out that if he got concrete mixing tubs, laid short cinder blocks in them (the paving or capstone kind), and filled the tubs up to about 1/2 inch shy of the top of the blocks, the blocks would wick up the concrete and keep the chickens' feet cool. The chickens were ABSOLUTELY laying on those blocks, only coming off once the sun set. (Yes, the misters were still going)

Word went out fast, the local hardware stores sold out of mixing tubs and people began innovating. I think the best idea was a cheap little float to keep the tanks at the right level so people could actually get some rest.

[daleparks]

I have a few 1 gallon jugs of water I keep in the freezer when needed I set out 2 a couple of feet apart laid in a shade area works good for around 6-8 hens

[j.s]

The Australorp would make my no.1 choice for best heat adapted breed. They were designed for our very hot Australian summers🔥

[paulaabbott]

Hey I'm a new to the chicken scene my girls are getting ready for first lay. I am so thankful for your videos. I live by them. You made me feel so much better about what I'm doing thanks and keep them coming. 60 year old baby.

[walkyriabarth]

I live in north FL. I have RIR-marans-ISA brown-plymouth-easter and olive eggers-Sussex- Black Australorp-next month I'll have wyandotes-i don't know how summer will be for them as it's been 6 month sind i started getting my girls but hopefully they will be fine as I buy them from a place right here.

[rockin-ronan]

I’m in Arizona and last year I lost all of my chickens to heat so this year I’m trying to get super prepared and work crazy hard to protect them so thank you for all this information

[theconsciouscorgi]

I would love to see y’all do a continued series on livestock that thrive in a hot HUMID climate. Apparently from the little information I have found, humid climates tend to be harder than hot on a lot of livestock like goats, and sheep due to worms, pests, poisonous plants etc.

[graceelizabeth]

Orpington, White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red, Easter Egger, Welsummer for hot weather!

[michelleziegelmeyer]

I live in Southern California and it gets hot here for at least 3 months. Along with lots of shade and ice water we freeze 2 litter bottles and place them in their run with ice on extra hot days. We have Easter Eggers, Delaware and Barndevelder chickens.

[aimlessjames]

I love your videos but it shows that you're from up north. The only bird on your list that qualifies as a heat tolerant layer is the Leghorn. Mediterranean class is almost the only way to go. Here's an updated list if you want chickens that don't REALLY struggle in heat. 1- Leghorn 2- Andalusian 3- Sicilian Buttercup 4- Mottled Houdan 5- Black or Buff Minorca 6- White Faced Black Spanish 7- Whiting True Green and True Blue 8- Crested Cream Legbar 9- Crevecoeur 10- Marans
You're welcome.

[Silkchance]

I am researching chickens that can tolerate Las Vegas heat. Thank you for your list.

[micheledau]

Central Valley California. It's like the face of the sun here in summer, and all of our animals struggle. We use shade and lots of water with ice cubes, as well as a mister.

[FlanTheMan]

I've had a lot of luck with wyandottes in the hell scape that is mid arizona. I have done anything special I just keep a good amount of shade change water twice a day and add electrolytes and on the real hot days ill offer a frozen melon and add ice to the watering haven't had a need to add a misting systems but might in the future

[Gotta-love-Elon]

I live in the Arizona desert. I just want a few chickens. Eggs for a couple people. Thanks for this video.

[StardustMeg]

Im in Tampa area of Florida where its hot and humid, and a new chicken mama! Thanks for this! I am currently trying to design a coop for them.