fancy cold weather breeds?

[cowlady11]

Hello all. my friend is looking to buy a couple of chicks, and would really like something funky looking. At first she was going to get some polish pullets, but then found out they dont fair so well in cold weather... any breed suggestions who can weather a new england winter?? THanks!

 

[emys]

How about Blue or Partridge Plymouth Rocks or Silver Laced or Blue Laced Red Wyandottes?

Wait I've got it. Spitzhauben!

 

[Illia]

Polish not fairing well in cold weather? I think my frizzled cockerel could disagree. . . .

And these girls might, too.

As for other "fancy" breeds - There's Araucanas, mine do very well in the cold as well as the heat. They lay blue eggs, have no tails, and have beautiful "tufts."

Course, it depends also on your terms of fancy. Some people consider Silver Laced Wyandottes as fancy, and they're cold hardy.

 

[emys]

Good point - I've never heard Polish can't handle cold either...

(but Forks, WA is nothing like the New England weather ...according to uscities website Forks average annual snowfall is 11 inches per year, and average low temperature is 33 degrees F. in winter.)

 

[cowlady11]

so do you think polish could handle a MA winter? I keep them in a horse stall packed with hay and sawdust and the windows covered with plastic so there's no wind...

 

[emys]

I don't think you would have a problem if they have a nice dry draft free place to hang out.

 

[phasianidae]

McGraws, Partridge Chanteclers, Ameraucanas, Wyandottes(except they do have large wattles)

 

[Illia]

Forks, WA indeed doesn't get cold too often, but we have been getting colder winters year after year.


The key, honestly, is having a well insulated, well built coop.

 

[okieinalaska]

Don't forget cochins are cold hardy! I think they are fancy with their feathered feet and fluffy butts.

This is one of mine...

edited to add I just noticed this is my 100th post!