6 Best Egg Laying Chickens for Louisiana

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Louisiana is a hot and humid state; therefore, before you invest in poultry, you should research chicken breeds that will thrive in your area.

Certain chicken breeds do better in warmer environments. It’s important to know what to look for when selecting a chicken for a hot climate.

Look for breeds that originated in warmer climates, as well as characteristics such as less or lighter feathers, an exposed earlobe, a prominent wattle, long, bare legs, and a low body fat ratio.

However, if you don’t have much time to do research but still need to know which hens produce the most eggs and can survive the heat of Louisiana, then keep reading!

flock of adorable white chickens walking on grassy meadow at farm

Table of Contents

How Much Heat Can Chickens Take?

The majority of chickens are better able to tolerate chilly conditions than hot ones.

A chicken’s average core temperature ranges from 104°F to 107°F, and due to a lack of sweat glands, chickens can only control their body temperature to a certain extent.

Chickens thrive between 55°F and 75°F, but temperatures over that, especially when combined with high humidity, can be hazardous to their health.

If the temperature outside rises beyond 75°F, it is time to begin cooling your chickens down; temperatures above 100°F pose a serious threat.

Keep in mind that birds can suffer from heatstroke and even die if they don’t have access to water or a place to cool down.

Installing a fan in the coop will help keep it from getting too hot inside. When temperatures rise, wet the ground in the pen and ensure they have access to fresh water and shade at all times.

Best Chickens for Laying Eggs in Louisiana

1	Australorp	Lays about 200-250 eggs each year. Dual-purpose breed. Friendly, tame hens. Ideal for beginners. Low maintenance.
2	Orpington	Lays about 200-280 eggs each year. Dual-purpose breed. Gentle and suitable for beginners and kids.
3	Plymouth Rock	Lays about 160-180 eggs each year. Perfect for young kids and first-time poultry owners. Hardy. Low maintenance.
4	Minorca	Lays about 120-220 eggs each year. Dual-purpose breed. It thrives in hot climates. Good for kids and new chicken keepers. Robust and requires little care.
5	Leghorn	Lays about 150-320 eggs each year. Not recommended for beginners or kids. Flighty. Great forager.
6	Rhode Island Red	Lays about 270 eggs each year. Dual-purpose breed. Hardy and low maintenance.

1. Australorp

Black Australorp chicken scratching in grass field

The term “Australorp” is short for “Australian black Orpington,” and the breed was indeed first developed in Australia.

The Australorp is a tough bird that thrives when left in free range. This breed is friendly to children and other animals, lays plenty of eggs, and makes for a respectable, white-skinned flesh bird of a decent size.

They are big birds that can be either slate blue with dark striping or glossy black with a brilliant green shine.

Australorps mature quickly and begin laying eggs at the age of 20–22 weeks. And one of their hens set a record for annual egg production when she laid 364 eggs.

But usually, you can expect to get 200–250 medium-sized, light-brown eggs per year.

This breed of chicken is perfect for first-time farmers since it requires little attention and can survive in a wide range of temperatures.

2. Orpington

Buff Orpington chicken standing in the backyard farm

Orpington chickens come in a number of different colors, the most common of which are buff, black, blue, and white. However, the buff is the favorite for most.

Orpingtons are wonderful birds to raise since they tend to be sociable and affectionate with their owners. Bright, fluffy, and adoring human attention, they make a great pet for a family with young children.

Orpingtons are not a high-activity breed. When touring the yard, they like to go at a more relaxed and steadier pace. They aren’t outstanding foragers and would rather hang around by the feeder.

Your Orpington chicken’s egg output will differ depending on the color variation you choose. The buff variety is a prolific egg layer, which is why it is so popular, while other Orpington types are typically regarded as fair to moderate layers.

Between 200 and 280 eggs per year can be expected from a single buff Orpington hen. These eggs are a light brown shade and are often large in size.

While at first glance, an Orpington may appear huge, this is a bit misleading because much of it is just the fluffiness of feathers.

On average, a rooster weighs 10 pounds, while hens weigh closer to 8 pounds.

3. Plymouth Rock

With a history dating back to the 19th century, Plymouth Rocks are among the most common and oldest domestic chicken breeds in the United States.

You should have no trouble tracking one down; their friendliness and prolific egg-laying have made them a favorite among chicken keepers everywhere.

They were originally developed for commercial broiler production and are known for being a friendly, resilient, and dual-purpose breed.

The average Plymouth Rock hen lays between 160 and 180 eggs per year and has excellent maternal behavior. Their eggs range in size from average to large and are a pale pinkish-brown color.

The adult Plymouth Rock’s white and black-patterned plumage is beautiful to look at, yet it also serves as effective camouflage from potential predators.

Generally speaking, Plymouth Rocks are well-liked and easygoing creatures. They can adjust to new environments quickly and are known to get along well with people and other farm animals.

Some people even keep them as pets because they enjoy being cuddled and patted.

4. Minorca

Minorca chicken standing on the ground under the sunlight in the countryside

The Minorca chicken has its origins in the Mediterranean. Named after a beautiful island off the coast of Spain, these birds are striking and hardy.

Unlike most other chicken breeds, Minorca chickens thrive in extremely hot climates. That being said, you should think about getting some of these birds for your Louisiana farm.

The Minorca chicken has a long history of being valued for both meat and egg production. The meat-to-bone ratio of a Minorca is among the best of any large bird.

Since Minorcas begin laying a little sooner than other breeds, they might be a useful addition to your flock.

Hens normally begin laying eggs at around 25 to 26 weeks of age and lay an average of 120 eggs per year.

Those who live in regions with greater temperatures may increase this number to as many as 220 eggs per hen.

Minorca chickens are among the most sociable and entertaining fowl. They make a great companion for kids and are great for anyone who has never owned chickens before.

5. Leghorn

White Leghorn Family rooster and hen standing on a wooden perch on background of farming garden in the backyard

The Leghorn chicken, which has its roots in Italy, is one of the most popular breeds of chicken found all over the world.

Leghorns are independent chickens that thrive when given their own space, and they can be skittish and flighty around strangers.

Children shouldn’t attempt to snuggle with them because they are not lap chicken breeds.

These chickens would do best in the hands of more experienced poultry keepers who could give them lots of space to wander.

In the chicken world, the Leghorn is well known for its egg-laying abilities. The annual egg count from these hens might easily top 200.

6. Rhode Island Red

The Rhode Island Red hen is a great addition to any flock, thanks to its usefulness, visual appeal, and pleasant personality.

In addition to its delicious meat, these sturdy birds will also lay an abundance of excellent eggs.

Rhode Island Red hens begin producing eggs between the ages of 4 and 5 months, which is faster than the average time for most other breeds of chickens.

The Rhode Island Red hens have the potential to produce 270 big to extra-large, light-brown eggs every year.

While Rhode Island Red hens are friendly and sociable birds, roosters have a reputation for being fierce and protective of their territory.

Generally speaking, Rhode Island Red hens are among the finest chickens to start with if you’re a beginner. These birds can lay a lot of eggs with little care, and they are also naturally resistant to disease.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a chicken breed for the hot and humid state of Louisiana requires thinking about more than simply how many eggs it produces.

Smaller birds with less fat are considerably simpler to care for and keep cool during the heat than bigger ones.

However, in this article, we explore both smaller and larger dual-purpose varieties of chickens that can endure the heat just fine.

Leghorns and Minorcas, which originate in the Mediterranean, are excellent choices for a warm climate.

However, larger dual-purpose breeds like Australorps and Rhode Island Reds, as well as heat-tolerant chickens like Orpington and Plymouth Rock, are also suitable for the climate of Louisiana.