Canadians check in here....

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Thank you, that's very kind of you. I've had a look on their website but can't find any medicated chick crumb incase of coccidiosis. Maybe that is or isn't a big deal. I just don't want to screw up! :-D Nice to meet you.

You as well! How long have you been in Canada?
You could always try calling the store to see if they carry it in store. You could also check with the hatchery that you ordered your chicks from and see if they vaccinate. I believe the average price is $1/chick.
What breeds did you order?

 

[McCluckycluck]

Been in Canada since October. I ordered Australorps We have young kids so I'm hoping they'll be a docile choice. Also hoping they'll tolerate the cold. How do your Buckeyes cope with the weather? That's a good idea to check with the hatchery. It doesn't mention it on the website so I'm not hopeful but worth a go!

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Buckeyes are bred for colder temps. They've got a pea comb, which helps make them less susceptible to frostbite. Mine actually prefer eating snow to drinking water. They won't walk in it though. I'm hoping to build several coops this spring so that I can get some chantecler and partridge chantecler flocks started. They're the only Canadian breeds, and are definitely most acclimated to our weather.
How are you doing, going through your first Canadian winter? It can get pretty icy in your area, as well as cold, being so close to the st. Lawrence.

 

[McCluckycluck]

Buckeyes are bred for colder temps. They've got a pea comb, which helps make them less susceptible to frostbite. Mine actually prefer eating snow to drinking water. They won't walk in it though. I'm hoping to build several coops this spring so that I can get some chantecler and partridge chantecler flocks started. They're the only Canadian breeds, and are definitely most acclimated to our weather.
How are you doing, going through your first Canadian winter? It can get pretty icy in your area, as well as cold, being so close to the st. Lawrence.

They eat the snow?! So what do your birds do in winter if they won't walk in the snow? Do they spend a lot of time in the coop? I'm wondering if I'll have to let ours run under shelter in the winter. We have a large metal shed type thing we could maybe use for them..hm. Your plans for this spring sound exciting. I'd love to hear how it all goes. Do you sell your eggs?

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

They eat the snow?! So what do your birds do in winter if they won't walk in the snow? Do they spend a lot of time in the coop? I'm wondering if I'll have to let ours run under shelter in the winter. We have a large metal shed type thing we could maybe use for them..hm. Your plans for this spring sound exciting. I'd love to hear how it all goes. Do you sell your eggs?

I've covered 2/3 of their run in vapour barrier with some split 2x4s running along for supports. They lean out into the open area for the snow, or they just eat it right off of my boots. They still spend a fair amount of time in the coop, but do venture out into the covered area off and on throughout the day.
I did sell eggs when I had leghorns, as I was getting a dozen a day. The buckeyes have stopped laying for the winter. One hen is just starting to lay again, so right now I'm getting one egg every other day. Eventually I want to get a good quality line going and start selling fertilized eggs. That will probably be in about a year or so.

 

[Chickkids321]

Hey from Vancouver Island!

 

[Speckledyhen]

Very new member, Nova Scotia, 22 year now but from BC originally. 3 kids 5 cats 3 rodents of various kinds and 6 chickens.
Canadian questions at what temperature do you heat your coop? Do add light to get eggs in short days.
Can wild birds get ill and or other way round from the chickens mine apparently are a afraid of the noisy flock of blues jays here.

 

[Speckledyhen]

I've covered 2/3 of their run in vapour barrier with some split 2x4s running along for supports. They lean out into the open area for the snow, or they just eat it right off of my boots. They still spend a fair amount of time in the coop, but do venture out into the covered area off and on throughout the day.
I did sell eggs when I had leghorns, as I was getting a dozen a day. The buckeyes have stopped laying for the winter. One hen is just starting to lay again, so right now I'm getting one egg every other day. Eventually I want to get a good quality line going and start selling fertilized eggs. That will probably be in about a year or so.

 

[Speckledyhen]

Mine eat snow! I have an coop inside a shed so they have a 4 x12 run inside the shed wired off ( ok it is not entirely finished). And when it’s not bitter and the ground is partly clear they go outside and run free.some years we will have to dig our way there so that’s why to inside yard, But I don’t want to watch for poop all summer so we either going to make a fenced outdoor run with a separate exit from shed or a tractor, we have two fields we don’t do much with.They were hay but weeds have moved in and the soil is not great.

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Hi @Chickkids321
What birds do you have?
I've never been to the island, but hear it's absolutely amazing. Someday I'll get there.