Good Cold-Weather Breeds?

[nes]

I'm going to see a woman about a sheep fleece tomorrow, she also has chickens so I'm hoping to get some insight into a good breed to keep in my area; but I'd like to do some research first!

What breed can you guys suggest?

- nothing fancy (easy to find as 18-20 mon or so!)
- egg layers or dual-purpose
- easy to keep (first time chicken-ers)
- docile (big noisy house with kids & pets)
- do well in really cold weather (-30C in the winter, I am building a well insulated coop)

I think we'd do better with normal sized birds rather then bantams.

Otherwise - don't care about their colour or really anything else

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We're looking into 2-3 layers, I'd like about a dozen eggs every 2 weeks.

 

[Cats Critters]

Try these two quizzes they might help you decide:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/breeds/breed-search.php
http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/which-breed-is-right-for-me.aspx

 

[nes]

Thanks for the quizzes but I've gone them a million times & they haven't really narrowed my search down much

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I will do them again & research all those breeds though

 

[BarkerChickens]

I'd recommend not getting a straight comb breed as they will be susceptible to frostbite on the comb in the cold weather....unless you plan on keep the coop heated.

 

[call ducks]

chanticler (sp?) was devloped here in canada , it is a very cold hardy breed, some white's strains do not lay as well as others

 

[nes]

The Chantecler definitely looks like one to look into!! Thanks!!

They are a little rare - but actually concentrated in my immediate area, I should be able to find some.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Easter Eggers (sold in feed stores as Ameraucanas or Araucana's even though they aren't) are common, very docile and friendly and great layers of various colored eggs (usually green-blue, but also pink and brown are common). They do well in cold weather too.

 

[M To The Maxx]

Even thought they are single combed birds they can still do fine in the winter months. The breeds that fit your needs the most are. BOs, RIRs, EEs, and BRs.

 

[Karen09]

I agree with the other posts. Chantecler chickens are made for that kind of weather. They have the tighter feathering that is helpful for the cold weather. I have read mixed reports on their personality - it probably depends on the different chick. I am trying these this year. Also the Ameraucana does really well. I have those and they are very docile, friendly and fun. If you are doing pullets, the wyandottes do well as do the Black Australorps. I have a couple Black Australorps and their combs did not get frost-bite. Their combs are smaller than others that are like theirs. Good luck choosing. It is hard to decide!!

 

[LeBlackbird]

Most non-single combed breeds are good! some off the top of my head...

All heavy crested breeds (Polish, Houdan, Brabanters etc)

Anything bearded with a non-single comb (Ameraucanas, EEs, Orloffs, D'anvers, etc)

Anything else with a non-single comb (Doms, Chantecler, Wyandottes, Hamburgs, sebrights, cornish, rosecomb leghorns, etc)