The rising cost of eggs has led to the growing popularity of poultry in the USA. As a result, individuals have begun keeping chickens in their backyards.
However, many people are uncertain about which chicken breeds can thrive in hot weather conditions, such as the climate in Florida, which is why we have compiled a list of best egg laying chickens for Florida.
Studies indicate that chickens may encounter greater challenges in surviving during the summer months compared to winter. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the selection of heat-resistant chicken breeds when living in hot climates like Florida.
Best Egg Laying Chickens for Florida
This blog post will focus on resilient chicken breeds that are well-suited to withstand the challenges of summer heat. We will explore their suitability for backyard poultry farming, particularly their exceptional egg-laying capabilities.
However, we should look at the hot months of Florida and how hot can it be in Florida in the summer.
Florida Hot Months | June – September |
Hottest Month | July and August |
Temperature Ranges | 73 F to 95 F |
We recommend the below breeds as they are heat resistant but you should not leave them to suffer in hot weather above 75 Fahrenheit.
How to Keep Chickens Cool in the Heat of Florida?
Controlling hot temperatures for chickens in Florida is crucial to ensure their health and productivity. Here are some essential tips to help you keep your chickens cool and comfortable during the scorching Florida summers.
- Provide ample shade in the chicken coop or run by using shade cloth or placing the coop under trees. This helps create a cooler environment and protects the chickens from direct sunlight.
- Ensure proper ventilation by adding windows, vents, or fans to allow for adequate airflow. This helps dissipate heat and prevents the buildup of stale air.
- Offer fresh and cool water at all times. Consider using frozen water bottles or misters to lower the temperature around the water source.
- Avoid feeding chickens during the hottest parts of the day to minimize internal heat production.
By implementing the above strategies, you can effectively control the hot temperature for your chickens.
Consider heat-resistant chicken breeds that we have listed below to handle the hot Florida climate.
Top 7 Best Egg Laying Chickens for Florida
We have compiled the below list while keeping in mind the egg-laying productivity along with heat resistance capability for Florida weather.
1. Easter Egger
Egg Color: Green/Blue/Pink/Multi
Primary use: Egg and Meat
Egg Production: 200 – 250 per year
Heat Hardiness: Yes they can survive hot weather
Lifespan: 5-7 years
You can buy Easter Egger chicken.
They are Easter Eggers because they can lay eggs in multiple colors and that is why Easter egger is very famous in USA, because children also love to see multiple color eggs.
They have the capability of bearing hot weather like Florida in the summertime. They are kids friendly so that everyone can pick them up.
Easter Egger can produce around 250 eggs per year. The life span of Easter eggers is from 5 to 7 years, if you provide them proper shed, feed, and water supply they can keep laying throughout the year even in hot summer also. A full feather chicken is generally around 3 months plus and it will cost you around 50$.
2. Ancona
Egg Color: White
Primary use: Egg and Meat
Egg Production: 200 – 300 per year
Heat Hardiness: Yes they can survive hot weather
Lifespan: 7-8 years
You can buy Ancona chicken.
Ancona chickens have an ability to tolerate heat and cold weather and they are very suitable for the hot weather like Florida.
Ancona chickens are best egger chicken and they can produce 200-300 eggs per year. Life span of Ancona chicken are 7 to 8 years. They can lay throughout the year even can lay egg in hot weather, that is why they are also suitable for the Florida.
3. Andalusian
Egg Color: White
Primary use: Egg and Meat
Egg Production: 150 – 200 per year
Heat Hardiness: Yes they can survive hot weather
Lifespan: 5-8 years
You can buy Andalusian chicken.
Andalusian chickens are another egger breed of chickens and can be live in cold and hot weather easily.
Andalusian chickens can produce 150-200 egg per year and the life span of Andalusian chickens can be from 5 to 8 years.
They can lay egg throughout the year even in hot summer weather like Florida if proper shed and cold water provided to them.
4. Plymouth Rock
Egg Color: Brown
Primary use: Egg and Meat
Egg Production: 200 – 250 per year
Heat Hardiness: Yes they can survive hot weather
Lifespan: 6-8 years
You can buy Plymouth chicken.
Plymouth are very famous in Florida and other regions of United States, because they are good egg layer and can easily attached with human beings.
They can produce 200-250 eggs per year, Plymouth Rock will generally live for approximately 6 to 8 years.
They can lay eggs in even hot weather of Florida if you provide a proper shed and cold water to them.
5. White Leghorn
Egg Color: White
Primary use: Egg and Meat
Egg Production: 260 – 300 per year
Heat Hardiness: Yes they can survive hot weather
Lifespan: 4-6 years
You can buy White Leghorn chicken.
White leghorn chickens are popular in Florida and other regions of USA because they are prized commercial and can be use for eggs and meat.
White Leghorn Chickens usually starts laying eggs earlier than other chicken breeds. White Leghorn chickens can produce up to 300 eggs per year. Leghorn chickens have a short lifespan between 4 to 6 years.
White Leghorn chickens can lay eggs throughout the year and can survive and lay eggs in hot weathers like Florida.
6. Naked Neck
Egg Color: Light Brown
Primary use: Egg and Meat
Egg Production: 170 – 200 per year
Heat Hardiness: Yes they can survive hot weather
Lifespan: 7-8 years
You can buy Necked Neck chicken.
Naked neck chickens are the best breed out there for hot temperature like Florida. They lay a good amount of eggs even in extreme hot weathers.
Naked neck chickens starts laying egg in six months of age, these chickens can produced 170-200 eggs per year. Naked neck chickens can live around 7 to 8 years if you can take good care of them.
7. Welsummer
Egg Color: Dark Brown
Primary use: Egg and Meat
Egg Production: 180 – 200 per year
Heat Hardiness: Yes they can survive hot weather
Lifespan: 6-9 years
You can buy Welsummer chicken.
Welsummer chickens are the great option for backyard poultry in Florida. Because they can survive in hot summer weather and also lay eggs in summer. They are easy to raise, you don’t need to do any extra care and efforts like other chickens.
Welsummer chickens can produce 180-200 eggs per year, these chickens can live up to 6 to 9 years, if you provide them proper care.