Cold-hearty white egg layer

[CombNWattles]

I would like to add a white egg layer to my flock, but I’m having trouble finding a breed that could stand up to the cold where I live. Many white egg layers are Mediterranean breeds with giant combs, and I have had problems with frostbite in normal-sized combs.

This is what I’ve found so far-
-polish
-icelandic
-appenzeller

I’m worried that the polish and appenzeller would be predation-prone with their crests, and the Icelandic seems to have a normal-sized single comb.

Any suggestions?

 

[SilverBirds]

How about Spangled Hamburgs? They're more productive than the other breeds you've listed. They also have rose combs which make them better suited for the cold.

 

[TillyPeeps]

Mottled Houdan is very friendly and cold hardy with a v comb.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

What about Meyer’s new Cookies and Cream hybrid? They are supposed to be all weather type hardy, have a smaller comb and are white egg layers. Here is a picture from their website and their link.
https://meyerhatchery.com/products/Lisa-Steeles-Cookies-and-Cream-Day-Old-Chicks-p359232805

 

[TillyPeeps]

What about Meyer’s new Cookies and Cream hybrid? They are supposed to be all weather type hardy, have a smaller comb and are white egg layers. Here is a picture from their website and their link.
https://meyerhatchery.com/products/Lisa-Steeles-Cookies-and-Cream-Day-Old-Chicks-p359232805
View attachment 3914227

I have one and she's just bantam size. She likes to stay with my Silkie and doesn't like the big girls. She hasn't started laying yet, but she could lay either creamy or white color eggs.

 

[Rose the Legbar]

appenzeller would be predation-prone with their crests

Appenzeller Spitzhaubens are, in my experience, super predator savvy and smart. They always have an eye looking at the sky. Spitz can get a bit flighty with any quick movements around them.

I haven’t gotten any eggs yet from my pullets (they are only around 16 weeks old) so I can’t say much about that.

As long as they have the forwards facing crest (and not a polish poof), they can see as well as most any other bird. Silver spangled spitz from hatcheries tend to have the too large of a crest issue. It is a hit or miss with hatchery stock. Female spitzhauben combs don’t get large at all either.
As an extra bonus, they are super friendly and love perching on my shoulder or being by my feet.

 

[CombNWattles]

Hmm, thanks for the suggestions. I think I’ll look into the spitzhauben again, it sounds like they might be a good fit.

 

[Logar]

What about rose comb leghorns or rose comb anconas?

 

[SloughiGirl]

Hmm, thanks for the suggestions. I think I’ll look into the spitzhauben again, it sounds like they might be a good fit.

Love my spitz girls…both just started to lay after molting. They lay pretty consistently year round, and are 3 now. They are the most curious and interesting birds I have!