Selecting a low-maintenance chicken breed for summer or hot weather can help reduce your birds’ discomfort.
Backyard chicken-keeping is a joyous and rewarding experience. Chickens provide us with meat and eggs. Some chicken breeds also make great pets.
However, raising chickens in your backyard can be challenging, especially if you are a beginner. You must choose the right breed, construct a safe coop, and provide your birds with the necessary care.
Chickens are incredibly versatile, as they can adapt to different climates. However, not all chicken breeds will adapt well to a warmer climate.
While many people stress about the winter, chickens struggle more during summer than in winter.
Before purchasing your chickens, consider your location and the temperature around you. Not all chicken breeds will do well in hot climates.
If you are looking for the best low-maintenance chickens for summer, you have come to the right place.
We have compiled a list of the best low-maintenance backyard chickens that can do well in hot climates or summer. Keep reading to learn more.
Plymouth Rock Chicken
First on our list of the best low-maintenance chickens for summer is the “Plymouth Rock chicken.” This barred chicken breed is one of the oldest and most popular chicken breeds in the poultry world.
They are popularly bred in many parts due to their purpose and practicality. Plymouth Rock chickens are good for both meat and egg production.
They are also gentle, friendly chickens that can make excellent pets. They stand with confidence and have broader backs than most other chicken breeds.
These adorable chickens exude a powerful aura due to their red features, such as earlobes, wattles, faces, and combs.
These robust chickens are hardy and very adaptable. They can do well in both cold and hot climates.
This makes them a great addition to any backyard flock. Besides, they are considered low-maintenance chickens with many things to offer.
They do not need a lot of maintenance and care needs. Therefore, they can be a perfect chicken breed for beginners.
Plymouth Rocks offer more than just companionship in a flock. They are highly productive chickens that can lay 200 to 280 eggs annually. They usually lay large, brown eggs.
These large-sized chickens are also suitable for meat production. They can withstand both hot and cold temperatures. Besides, their calm and friendly personalities make them more irresistible.
Look no further if you plan to add a low-maintenance chicken to your backyard flock.
Appenzeller Chicken
The Appenzeller is one of the most exciting chicken breeds you will ever encounter. They are adorable chickens that any chicken lover will quickly fall for.
The breed comes in two varieties: Barthuhner and Spitzhauben. Barthuhner Appenzeller chickens have rose combs and do not have crests.
On the other hand, Spitzhauben Appenzellers tend to have lazy combs and V-combs. These chickens may not tolerate confinement very well.
They like to free-range and prefer plenty of space to roam freely. Their roosters love to roost on trees.
Therefore, the Appenzeller chicken may not be a good choice if you live in smaller spaces, such as apartments and condos.
These intelligent birds do not require a lot of maintenance. They are hardy chickens that are okay with almost all climates. They can do well in both hot and cold climates.
One good thing about them is that they can quickly adjust to a new environment. Their compact appearance and light bodies help them to move well.
In addition, they are friendly birds that make great pets. If you are looking for a low-maintenance chicken breed for summer, this is one of the breeds to consider.
They will ensure you have a constant supply of eggs throughout the year. Under proper nutrition and good care, an Appenzeller hen can lay 150 to 170 eggs per year.
These chickens are active and ever-alert. They need plenty of space to run around the backyard.
Penedesenca Chicken
The beautiful chicken breed originated in Spain in the first half of the 20th century. These birds have a fascinating history and are known for their dark brown eggs.
They were almost wiped out in the 1980s, but thankfully, a biologist worked with the Spanish government to save them.
These birds have a fascinating appearance that anyone will quickly fall in love with. Strong colors of red are common in these chickens.
They have red earlobes, combs, and wattles. They have a unique carnation comb called a “king” comb.
The comb is quite susceptible to frostbite and prohibits them from surviving in cold temperatures.
Penedesenca chickens have long exposed legs, small waddles, almost no body fat, light to dark feathers, and a large comb.
These features make them ideal for hot climates. You can expect your Penedesenca chicken to thrive during the summer.
They can be relatively stagnant and less productive during winter months. While they like foraging, they tend to avoid it when it gets colder.
A Penedesenca hen can lay three to four eggs a week. This translates to anywhere between 160 and 170 eggs per year.
They usually lay dark brown eggs and weigh 4 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Roosters are slightly larger than hens.
Like other chicken breeds, your Penedesenca chicken needs good care and proper nutrition to live a longer and more productive life. They have a lifespan of five to eight years.
Campine Chicken
The Campine chicken has a long and winding history. They are named after the Campine region of Belgium, where they originated from.
They were brought to America by Mr. Arthur D. Murphy. While they did not gain popularity initially, they later became a favorite for some chicken keepers because of their productivity.
Today, the American Poultry Association (APA) recognizes these birds today.
Several other organizations, such as the American Bantam Association and the Poultry Club of Great Britain, also recognize Campine chickens.
They weigh between 4 to 7 pounds when fully mature. However, they have a much smaller bantam version.
They have a single comb that can sometimes be smaller or less visible, especially if the chicken has not fully matured.
These healthy birds are easy to handle and will not give you much trouble. They are hardy chickens without so many maintenance needs.
All you need to worry about are the common health issues that all chicken breeds are prone to.
They can handle both hot and cold weather well. However, you must provide them with a heat source during winter to prevent frostbite.
In addition, you should provide them with plenty of water during the summer to prevent dehydration. A Campine hen can lay 180 to 200 eggs per year. They lay small to medium white eggs.
Easter Egger Chicken
Last on our list of the best low-maintenance chickens for summer is the “Easter Egger.” They are not considered a pure chicken breed but rather a hybrid.
They are among the most sought-after chickens for backyard chicken keeping. They are known for their appearances as well as their colorful eggs. Since they are hybrids, they come in various color patterns.
Easter Eggers lay medium to large eggs that can be blue, brown, olive, green, or pink. Under proper nutrition and good care, they can lay 4 to 6 eggs per week.
This translates to 200 to 280 eggs per year. It is safe to say that the Easter Egger is a favorite for many chicken keepers because of the colorful eggs.
If you are looking for a low-maintenance chicken for summer, this is one of the breeds to consider.
Easter Eggers are considered low-maintenance chickens that can do well nearly everywhere. They are heat tolerant and can handle hot climates very.
Conclusion
Raising backyard chickens is more than just providing enough space and feeding them. It is also about giving your birds a proper place to live.
Choosing the right chicken breed for your flock can be challenging, especially if you are a beginner.
If you are looking for the best low-maintenance chicken breed for summer, you can consider one of the options on our list.
