I have to talk POLISH!

[trsturself]

If you have a wind proof coop that has enough ventilation that their breath doesn't cause condensation, and enough chickens to produce body heat, they should be fine. Chickens can stand pretty cold temps if you have the right conditions (a heated coop is usually worse for them, not better). According to one website you have to watch that their crest feathers don't freeze. I assume this is because they aren't near the body where they have a heat source. I think they'll do fine if you have a good winter setup. Do some research on winter coops. Joel Salatin talks about it in his backyard chicken book and he lives in the North East so he gets pretty harsh winters.

 

[Quechicks]

Hi y'all, I've been lurking here for most of the summer enjoying all the stories and pics! I just read above that Polish are not cold hardy! I bought a young-in this spring from a northern Wisconsin farm and I live even farther north. Winters routinely hit -35 F here. Anybody else raising Polish in the frigid north without heated coops? I know the farm I purchased from didn't heat their coop but maybe they did something special to keep their polish overwintered that wasn't obvious while I was there?

I don't know where you live but same thing here in Quebec. I think we would have more success with the bearded ones (with my reserch)...also I was talking with a rabbit breeder who was telling me that he raised a certain variety a couple of years ago. He ha problems gbe first years in winter with the ears freezing on his rabbitt...but he notice that with the F2 and F3 (and further) the freezing ears disapears....maybe the body become hardy to winter with the following generations? Maybe it could do the same thing with chocken?

Isabelle

 

[Thomas423]

I've never had a problem with the cold but I have read that they are not cold hardy. We do not heat our coops but they are well built. You should still get them but keep in mind the cold and make it work. Polish are worth it.

 

[ralibi]

Thanks for all the advise on the cold weather problems! I suppose I could just move south...can't say I'd miss 6 months of winter!

 

[destiny_56085]

I live in MN and lost several polish at first... I don't have a heated coop and temps can get in the double digits below 0. Its a big old 100' brick bottomed dairy barn. Well ventilated, but can shut it up enough to keep major drafts out. Consulted some of the old timers in my poultry club and they showed me how to trim the crests/beards. You pretty much take off anything that falls forward into the water. They might not look as pretty, but it keeps them alive and feathers grow back with their next molt. The birds actually don't mind and are much less flighty since they can see better too.

 

[seminolewind]

In the heat, I have 7 different fans going in 4 coops. When it gets over 90, I put ice in the water. Makes a big difference.

I can't even fathom -35!. I couldn't imagine how animals survive it. I would be the first one in line for a heating of some kind. I knew someone up in Canada who had an entrance hall at the back door and would bring the chickens in at night and put in cages. Polish don't have protective feathers on their head from the heat and cold, and have less body fat. You may want to get just a few so they can be brought in?

 

[cochins1088]

I LOVE my 2 little buff laced polish. They're about 3 months old and standard sized. I was expecting crazy, flighty, nervous birds, but these guys are nothing like that. They're very sweet and come running up to me.

Do they look like pullets? (ignore the dates on the pictures, they're inaccurate)

 

[Eleisha]

Following

 

[graciesmum]

my poor little jazzy does not like the rain bless her lol

 

[4Hgirl]

What do you all think for show worthiness of the silver Laced Bt?