Canadians check in here....

[blkjak]

I am looking for a recommendation for next spring.  I am looking for a breeder who can supply me with a dozen or so Chantecler day olds.  I wasn't successful in finding one for this year so I chose Red Sussex Cross from a nearby hatchery.  No complaints about the birds I do have, they all seem hale and hearty, but I would like to get into a cold hardy heritage breed.  Does anyone have a suggestion? Thanks.

Where are you located?

 

[uncertainty]

Lakeland district of Alberta; 2.5 hrs NE of Edmonton.

 

[Urlec]

Yet another new member. Saskatoon surrounding area. Up to 18 birds now. Must resist the temptation.

 

[Ajayk]

I'm from Erin, Ontario

 

[Ajayk]

Forgo to mention should be gettingmy 5 day Olds by the end of this month. First venture into chickens.

 

[redfish]

Quebec here as well, looking for American chickens. game hens to be exact...

 

[uncertainty]

I am new to chickens, and so far so good. What advice do you have with respect to winter? My coop is an older one, built by the previous owner. I am unsure how well insulated it is. Are straw bales stacked around the exterior of the coop efficient insulators? Thx.

 

[chickcrack]

I am new to chickens, and so far so good.  What advice do you have with respect to winter? My coop is an older one, built by the previous owner.  I am unsure how well insulated it is.  Are straw bales stacked around the exterior of the coop efficient insulators? Thx.

Hi uncertainty. My guess is that it gets a bit colder where you live. I am in central Ontario and in a snow belt. My coop is not insulated but it is VERY draft proofed with good roof/eave venting. I do use a heat lamp in the winter but only when temps drop to -18 or lower. I guess that depends on what breeds you have. My barred rocks do great all winter. I have had to bring my OEGB roosters into my basement in an unheated room a few times as I saw their wattles turning purple (they dip them in water and it doesn't take long for them to turn black and fall off). My coop is 8' x 6' for sleeping quarters and with 10 LF and 4 banties it typically stays 8-10 degrees higher than the outside temps. I did pile straw bales along the wall that gets the prevailing winds last winter...even blocked the window on that side of coop. I do think it helped a bit and will do it again. If you don't have a heated waterer get one lol. Best investment I ever made!

 

[Ajayk]

Thank you so much chickcrack for the advice. Where abouts in Central ontario are you from?

 

[Woobsie]

Anyone from near London? I have a flock of 50 mostly layers but also an old english game hen, a roo and hen Cochin, a pair of buff japanese bantams.