Welcome to Backyard chickens. I think you would do well to post on "Canadians, check in here." thread to get feedback on how to prepare for winter. You may also be interested in the thread "J'est another Day in Pair A Dice." Kindsof a journal of sorts for a very nice lady in Alberta, who has chickens, ducks, geese, swans, hair sheep, dogs etc. Her animals get through the worst that winter has in store - lots of snow and extremely cold weather. She also breeds Chanticleer chickens that are extremely hardy . The breed originated in Canada to survive extremes in temps, and they are good layers.