Some hen breeds are extra warmth tolerant that others. They usually are light-weight breeds with giant combs and wattles, sparse feathering, and clear legs. Different breeds are extra chilly hardy. They typically are the heavier breeds with tight combs, small wattles, and dense feathering. Some breeds, nonetheless, are in a position to deal with each heat and chilly climate with equal ease. Among the many latter are the next 8 all-climate hen breeds.
Crevecoeur
The Crevecoeur originates from Normandy, France. The maritime local weather there may be mainly temperate, but additionally wildly unpredictable inside any given 24-hour interval. Summer time highs might be within the 80s, whereas winter lows hover round freezing.
The Crevecoeur has black plumage that absorbs warmth from daylight in chilly climate. It additionally has tiny wattles and a small V comb to attenuate frostbite, and crest feathers that supply head safety in chilly climate. However, the crests have to be watched in moist winter climate, since moist crests can probably freeze.
As a mid-weight breed with clear legs, the Crevecoeur handles heat climate nicely. And its docile temperament protects this breed from extreme pleasure that can lead to overheating.
Hamburg
The precise origin of the Hamburg hen is a matter of some rivalry. It probably originated within the Mediterranean and was later developed by Dutch and German poultry lovers. It has due to this fact been uncovered to a wide range of climates throughout its growth.
This breed has a rose comb, which in comparison with a single comb is much less prone to winter freezing. The breed can also be extraordinarily lively, which helps generate warmth physique in chilly climate.
The Hamburg is small to mid weight and has clear legs. The sunshine coloured plumage of the silver spangled, the most well-liked selection, displays warmth from summer season daylight.
Houdan
The Houdan hails from Houdan, France, which has an oceanic local weather. Temperatures through the lengthy, chilly winters can drop under freezing. In the course of the quick summers the temperature can spike above 100°F. The Houdan is very like the Crevecoeur, with related options that put it among the many all-climate hen breeds.
Plymouth Rock
The Plymouth Rock was developed in Massachusetts, which has a continental local weather. Summers are heat and winters are chilly.
This breed’s giant dimension and lively nature assist preserve it heat in chilly climate. The big single comb and dangly wattles of the rooster are susceptible to frostbite in winter, however assist preserve the hen cool in summer season. The Plymouth Rock’s clear legs contribute to its tolerance of summer season warmth.
Rhode Island Crimson
The Rhode Island Crimson hails from Rhode Island. Like Massachusetts, this state has a continental local weather. Though completely different in kind from the Plymouth Rock, the Rhode Island Crimson bears lots of the similar options that make it one of many all-climate hen breeds.
Spitzhauben
The Spitzhauben comes from the Swiss Alps, the place Europe’s cool northern local weather meets the nice and cozy southern local weather. The climate is due to this fact extraordinarily variable, with seasonal temperature extremes in addition to unpredictable every day climate.
The Spitzhauben is a mid-size breed with clear legs that assist preserve it cool in summer season. It has a V comb and a little bit of head feathering, and is extraordinarily lively, all pluses for chilly climate tolerance. For more information on the Spitz, see Breed Highlight: Appenzeller Spitzhauben Chickens.
Sumatra
The Sumatra hen comes from the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. These islands have a tropical local weather with heat temperatures 12 months round.
So what lets the Sumatra achieve this nicely in chilly climate? The breed is smallish in dimension. It has a small pea comb and tiny wattles. It has darkish plumage, and the breed is extraordinarily lively.
Welsumer
The Welsumer comes from the village of Welsum, Holland. The temperature there can dip under freezing in winter, but can attain as excessive as 90°F in the summertime.
This breed is mid weight with a big single comb and reasonably giant wattles, and clear legs for dissipating summer season warmth. But it’s a dark-feathered hen that’s comparatively lively, which assist generate winter warmth.
All-Local weather Breeds
Selecting the best breed to your local weather might be tough, particularly in the event you reside in an space with seasonal extremes. By choosing one of many many all-climate hen breeds, your flock will come geared up to cope with the whims of the climate.
And that’s at present’s information from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow, writer, Storey’s Information to Elevating Chickens.
