Cold Hardy chicken breeds suggestions?

[TheFugitivePen]

We have 8 Black Australorps and love them.
My husband researched extensively before choosing chicks and he settled on these.

5 of our 8 girls started laying within the last month, so we get 3-5 eggs a day. They start out small but they're now medium to large-sized.
They were very skittish as teens, but, now that they're laying, they're fairly friendly and easy to handle. Snuggly? No, but I think I have one or two that might be getting there.

We haven't had a ton of freezing-level weather yet, but the few freezing nights we've had, they've faired well.

 

[PhantomSlayer]

Today sucked! It is not fun trying to put together a shed in a snow storm lol But we did it! So my sister in law now has a shed for her chickens and ducks. She put them in there tonight since its gonna be snowing all night. It has some ventilation plus the roof isn't flush theres grooves in it so i'm thinking it should have enough ventilation. Also its alot smaller than I thought but she said she'll get a second one for the ducks. But anyways she got her 3rd egg today and I also hurt my ankle so it better keep them warm enough to survive the winter lol

 

[AGeese]

Lol It's okay more bird suggestions anyways!

I hear Orpingtons and Old English Pheasant Fowl might be the temperament you're looking for. But personally I love my Buckeyes and they're probably better free rangers since yours will be part time.

 

[PhantomSlayer]

Were in a snow storm of up to 2 ft of snow. The other day no one let my sister in laws chickens and ducks out of their shed till 4pm I felt bad for them. So yesterday morning my mom and I went down and finished opening up a hole so they move out into their run. I also saw a small green egg out in the run who knows how long that was there lol but there was also another brown one in the shed tho not in the new nesting boxes. I'm wondering if its because their sitting on the ground that the chickens don't realize their actually nesting boxes? Anyways We also took that chance to reattempt to block off a portion for them to be sheltered in their run my mom said it was for the ducks. But we used the old plastic and stapled it and used pallets and a spare plywood board. The plastic is covering around the backside of it and we filled it and the old nesting boxes with straw.

I have a question about keeping chickens in cold weather. Water dishes. We're getting as low as 12F in the next few days. What are your favorite water dishes for freezer temps? I know your supposed to change the water more often but is there like a favorite dish that makes changing out the frozen ice easier?

https://www.amazon.com/Harris-Farms-Poultry-Drinker-Gallon/dp/B01FHUGWK4/ref=sr_1_6?crid=9Q6A71TRWU27&keywords=poultry+blue+water&qid=1668754915&sprefix=poultry+blue+water,aps,168&sr=8-6

This is what they have down there but it seemed like it was nearly frozen. Which makes me wonder if its gonna even be easy to pull out the big ice chunk when its completely frozen I tried hitting my hand against it but most seemed over half froze and yes it did hurt my hand XD making me regret doing that lol

 

[Folly's place]

We have never used a nipple drinker for them. In winter we use the metal waterers on the metal heated bases, which work fine. Ducks need a deeper waterer, you could use a heated dog bowl. We also have a plastic heater base, which would work for a rubber pan (I think).
If you added roofing for the snow, make sure it can handle the weight!
Mary

 

[AGeese]

https://a.co/d/9NDMCVp heated pet water bowl, probably for the ducks.
https://a.co/d/eq97Uy4 I use this for my geese, and I have it sitting in this https://a.co/d/e1LMdI1 just to catch spills and prevent debris kicking up under it where the cord leads. Also the cord is protected by wire, not sure if your ducks are like my geese, but they can be destructive with cords, cables, and ropes.

But if no electricity then I have an extra drinker on hand filled and ready to swap out https://a.co/d/5nraIPh

Edit: if that's the case you might try insulating your watering pan/tub. That may help it stay thawed longer.