Colorado

[megshenhut]

I am in Park County, at roughly 10,000 feet.

Does anyone have any experience with this high of altitude and raising chickens?

We will be purchasing chicks from a local store around April 11th. The choices available to us are Buff Rock, Speckled Sussex, Partridge Rock and White Orpington. Sounds to me the Buff, Partridge and Speckled are the "hardiest" however, I know the woman at the store said they only purchase very cold hardy birds, so I guess we can not go wrong.

We are pulling together materials for the coop and should be able to start building it in a week or two potentially postponing getting the chicks even though they wont be ready to be out there yet I have heard.

I have been around chickens, but never raised them from chicks. I also have only been around chickens at 5,000 feet or lower elevations, so I know there are probably special things to do up here.

Anyways, I ramble, but I appreciate any and all input here!

Thanks everyone!

I'm at about 8000 ft. Build them a good shelter that they can plan on staying in for several days with snow and wind and all. I agree with the larger combed birds getting frost bite, but that is mostly a rooster issue. I think all the breeds you mentioned should do fine. The EEs do fine too, but because they are a mixed breed it will depend on the individual bird more. I've lost birds to what a suspect was a heart attack, maybe something to do with the altitude and lack of air. Hatching chicks is definitely more of a challenge in the thin air. When you think of building, think about predator issues. We are in a subdivision and have mostly fox and skunk, not the bigger critters, but make things secure, especially the pen to both digging and hawks flying over. The more time you take in planning for problems when you build, the less likely you are to experience the actual problem.

First internal peep heard around 12:38.

You were up at 12:38 listening for peeps. Oh man, this is going to be a long day for you. Have fun, enjoy the SLOW process and hope you get lots of chicks hatched.

 

[COChix]

Just to clarify, was doing a final Bator check when I heard the pip.

Woke up to this, first external pip.

One of @Percheron chick RO eggs e

 

[maggiemo]

OH YAY!! GO PERCHERON CHICK EGGS!!!

 

[Mtn Margie]

Awesome! Go chickies go!

 

[COChix]

First chick is out and second pip on one of PC's OE eggs.

 

[COChix]

 

[21hens-incharge]

I love the excitement of hatch day!

Cheering them all on along with everyone else! (thinking the emoticon needs pom poms)

 

[RenWoods]

Hi everyone! I am brand new here and to chickens! I just moved to Colorado from CT. I am really excited to add chickens to our family! Any of you ever have Silkie babies for sale? I reside in Highlands Ranch.

 

[COChix]

First chick out and waiting for friends. Both of @Percheron chick Olove Eggers have pipped and before bed ( just now it was working on unzipping). I also think I see two more pips one of her Welsummer eggs and one of the BBS Amereaucana eggs. At least that is what my tired eyes see tonight. Been a whirlwind lately. Can't wait to see what we wake up to.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Congrats on the successes so far CoChix! Looking forward to celebrating more with you.

Come on little friends!!