How 'cold hearty' is an Austrolorp?

cutechickies

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Hi - We are planning on getting back into chickens after a few years away from it. We live in Northeast PA and in the past, ran an extension cord out to the coop in the winter so we could give the chickens some heat. This time around, we plan on moving the coop, and where we want to move it to, it is going to be near impossible to get an extension cord to. I was researching cold hearty breeds and was thrilled to see Black Austrolorps listed - we have had this breed before and I thought they were the sweetest chickens ever - but my question is exactly how cold tolerant is 'cold tolerant'? Does it mean that they don't need a heat lamp if they have a well insulated coop? or just that they don't mind winter as much as others? I'm sorry if this is a silly question - I have tried google without much luck.
 
Mine did fine down to 7 below that’s the coldest it’s been since I have had them along with Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, buff Orpington, golden sexlinks and Welsummers the Welsummer Roo got frost bite but was ok it was mostly from my waterers that caused it, all the girls were fine.
 
Hi - We are planning on getting back into chickens after a few years away from it. We live in Northeast PA and in the past, ran an extension cord out to the coop in the winter so we could give the chickens some heat. This time around, we plan on moving the coop, and where we want to move it to, it is going to be near impossible to get an extension cord to. I was researching cold hearty breeds and was thrilled to see Black Austrolorps listed - we have had this breed before and I thought they were the sweetest chickens ever - but my question is exactly how cold tolerant is 'cold tolerant'? Does it mean that they don't need a heat lamp if they have a well insulated coop? or just that they don't mind winter as much as others? I'm sorry if this is a silly question - I have tried google without much luck.
You are looking into one of the coldest hardy birds ever created. I live in Northern Canada where -40 is not uncommon. Those Australorps will lay right through that freezing cold
 
I've had Australorps for close to 15 years. There have been winters here with -25 to -30 in that time. Even tho we have an insulated building and a heat lamp hanging over the water it can get to near zero inside. So, yes, they are cold hardy. ;)
Mine free ranged with no heat in -40
I don't do that anymore since I now exhibit poultry and the frostbite destroys the crowns on chickens
 
X2

And you have to consider that if they get used to supplemental heat what happens if the power goes out?
It may shock them.
I’m all for acclimating animals to their natural environment without excessive intervention.
Grown birds don’t need heat lamps, etc.
 
Hi all - I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all of the info - I am SO excited to hear it sounds like the heat thru the winter is not necessary. Our new birds come Monday - woo hoo! Always so grateful to this forum for the help from people with experience. THANKS!
 

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