how do you pick?

[Caat]

Where I live, the bylaws allow for only 15 chickens. I know, I know 15 is a whohle lot more than some places will allow but hear me out. I want at least 2 Chanteclers (cuz they are Cdn and because I can get them) I want 2 Danish Brown Leghorns, 2 white leg horns, 2 brown leg horns, 2 Buff Opringtons, 2 Barred Rock Plymouths, 2 Ameraucanas (yes because they lay blue/green eggs). Hubby wants a few ducks (so let's say 4) I want a few Turkeys (again... 4) Oh and forgot the meat birds!!!!!!!! So how does anyone pick??? I soooo totalyy understand chicken math now!

I guess the logical way to approach this is the following. I live in British Columbia Canada, it DOES get to -35C or -31F. This year we got a ton of snow most years it's not so bad. I have quite a bit of room to play with.

I'd love suggestions and a reason. eg: Chanteclers b/c they have a very small comb

Thank you
Chickenless in BC

 

[AccentOnHakes]

I wouldn't go with the Leghorns, what with their giant single combs and the low temperatures.

 

[Caat]

Oh and Dominiques someone suggested those, they have a little comb too. Only, I don't knwo where I can get those...

 

[ninabeast]

This is how I chose. As a chicken virgin, I found it most helpful. I chose for egg-laying ability, cold hardiness and temperament.

 

[Tiramisu]

I think they are good choices

how are you going to get them? A hatchery? I guess wherever you are getting them, if they don't have dominiques and you want them try to find someone local that has them. I had a Wynadotte, Australorp and Buff Orp during a winter when it got down to -25 windchill. They did ok, just make sure the coop is well made (mine wasn't since it was a backyard one, it was just ply wood). Not sure how many people insulate..but I got like a foil like insulation with like bubble wrap between it, it really helped heat stay in there coop and got it at Lowe's, but I don't know if it is available there. I just stapled it up, and in spring just ripped it out and it would still be usuable for the next year.

I wouldn't count meat birds in with actually having chickens since they won't be there too long

that just means you can have a few more chickens *cough*

 

[Caat]

Quote:
Oh how I love your logic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOO HOOO!

Umm hubby (with my help) will be building a coop that's completely insulated, heat lamps, ceramic heaters (and I wouldn't be surprised to see a wood stove going in there!

) DH is soooo wonderful!

Dumb question but do chickens go outside in the winter?

 

[Caat]

Quote:
that's a really good idea! thanks

 

[Caat]

Quote:
Right.... hadn't thougth of that despite it being a huge factor for the chanteclers

 

[Oregon Blues]

You get 15 and hubby wants 4 ducks and 4 turkeys. That's 8. Tell him he only gets to pick half, so he can only choose 7 birds.

Chanticleers are Canadian and the best cold hardy breed, so that's a good choice.

As for the others, I suggest that you make a wish list and just plan on working your way through it. When it is time to replace a chicken, go to your wish list.

Oh, yeah, you only get to pick 7. Then you and hubby have to agree on bird 15.

Have you looked at all the breeds of turkeys? You think picking chickens is hard? Wait until you try to decide on turkeys.

 

[Debbi]

Quote:
Hmm, I think I'd have to call the bylaws people and find out if ducks and turkies count as chickens?? Does the law specifically say chickens? Then you could have 15 chickens, 15 ducks, and 15 turkies!!

And that's called "Chicken Logic"! It's a slippery slope for sure!