Cold hardy birds?

[dwegg]

Cochins are my pick and orpingtons. Any of the large breeds and especially the fat ladies with the feathered legs like was mentioned above. They do really well in cold climates but do need to be watched when the weather gets too hot.

 

[ninabeast]

I chose for cold weather, as one criterion: BPR, BO, LB, PR.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I know My Pet Chicken will sell just a few, and I'm sure there are others. The hatcheries forum on here is a place to start.

 

[catsew]

There's a hatchery forum on here too??!?!! Guess I need to look around some more.
Thank you.

 

[WishboneDawn]

Chanteclers were bred in Quebec to withstand the cold. I just noticed two hens and a rooster for sale locally and wish I had the coop up so I could have bought them. Darn it.

 

[chickmchickie]

chickensinwasillaAK.. love it there lived in Nome.. I am just getting my chicks july 11th, so the info you gave was good to know thank you for that, i was wondering, i figured about 6 to 8 weeks.. We get snow here in July hahahha.. but end of sept most years. I have a 250 red for them. my feeders and waters are both plastic with plastic jars on top.. i was wondering if that will crack asap on the first cold night..

 

[chickensinwasillaAK]

All last winter I used a 5 gallon Home depot bucket with holes drilled around the outside for my waterer. They pick at it, climb all over it, never have hurt it.

I also use the plastic water and feeder for the chicks but I move them over to the bucket at about 4 weeks. Then when they go to the coop, they're accustomed to it. I have some 3 week olds in the brooder right now that if it's nice Friday (low 70's) they'll be taking a trip to the outside for a while. I still leave a heat lamp on for them, yea I know it wastes electricity but I want them to stay warm. Last batch loved being outside, pain in the butt to gather them all up to go back inside, they're not to happy about that. Have to be a little cautious, we have an eagle nesting in a tree at the end of the driveway, don't want any of my chicks to be a dinner meal. If she can get through chain link, I guess she can have a chick but it's what I've got them surrounded with.

Can't say I liked Nome, a little to alcohol driven for me. More bars then stores, more drunks on a Saturday then sober folks. I've never lived there but have been there a couple times. Now, get a mile away from town and it's a vast change.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Buckeyes were developed in Ohio to withstand cold. Also Wyandottes do well;-)

 

[JodyJo]

Australorps...I live in Colorado where our winters get to -40*...you need to provide light, warmth is good also, but the lights are key...I have a mixed flock this year, so we will see which girls do the best, my coop is also insulated.

 

[catsew]

I don't care as much if they lay over the winter. We have access to electricity if we need to plug in a heat lamp or regular light, so we have planned ahead for that, but would prefer not to.

chickensinwasillaAK- I still have the heat lamp on as well as its in the 50's over night. They're still in the house but my husband insists on opening all the windows and doors at night so it gets cold in here. I turn it off during the day low since its been in the 80's. And they've also had some outdoor time the past few days. But I haven't had a problem catching them at all. They're in a fence for safety and they don't run away, so I just pick them up.