Looking for egg layers that are cold hardy

[Sanderguy777]

Chicken wire would keep them in but it won't do much to keep predators out. Electric netting will deter predators better, at least the land predators. I use 4ft Premier1 netting and my chickens have never flown over it.

Having been hit by a Shockwave once, I can understand why they don't try and fly over it LOL

I have seen armadillo, possums, and cats and one dog. I'm sure there are raccoons as well.

I've seen a few hawks, but none have ever messed with any of the birds, or even done a second flyby. Apparently the 2 black chickens look like crows and Hawks don't like them for some reason.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Having been hit by a Shockwave once, I can understand why they don't try and fly over it LOL

Actually, my netting fence is not electrified. The fact that it has no solid top rail and their pen provides endless foraging and entertainment keeps them in.

 

[Zenmonkey]

Definitely sounds like the rooster isnt an option. Sad, because it would be amazing to get to breed them.

It is amazing, and I know that the band of the site includes the word "chickens".

However muscovies and pigeons are pretty quiet, most quail sound enough like "birds" that they won't trigger the anti farm yard instincts some people have, and there's a number of pheasants that might work as well.

Only the muscovies provide a reasonable egg laying function, but there are birds that can be propagated in places where chickens might not work out.

 

[Sanderguy777]

It is amazing, and I know that the band of the site includes the word "chickens".

However muscovies and pigeons are pretty quiet, most quail sound enough like "birds" that they won't trigger the anti farm yard instincts some people have, and there's a number of pheasants that might work as well.

Only the muscovies provide a reasonable egg laying function, but there are birds that can be propagated in places where chickens might not work out.

Oh I can have chickens fine. I'm legally limited to only a few, but the rooster is the annoying law. That would save me a lot of money to be able to hatch my own chickens, let alone sell them (I know that's work and all, but im just saying).

 

[MROO]

All of that, EXCEPT flying seems like a good thing. But I suppose I can trim their wings (feathers only, I think right?) if/when I get a fence and let them free range.

If they're free-ranging, flying is a good thing. It helps them get away from attackers. If they're NOT free-ranging, use netting over the top of your run.

 

[Zenmonkey]

Oh I can have chickens fine. I'm legally limited to only a few, but the rooster is the annoying law. That would save me a lot of money to be able to hatch my own chickens, let alone sell them (I know that's work and all, but im just saying).

That tracks. And no, unfortunately I don't know a chicken breed where the rooster doesn't make noise. I've got some really small bantams where they're marginally quieter, and kind of sound cute. But while locked inside a shed in the dead of winter, you can still hear them and recognize them as roosters from at least 50 yards away.

The muscovies / quail / pigeons would be to have the enjoyment of raising your own birds. I suppose indoor cage birds would work as well.

Of those, only the muscovies produce a useful size and quantity of eggs. Quail can produce useful eggs, but I personally find it annoying to open 3 eggs to get the equivalent of a chicken egg. I've got some quail egg scissors that supposedly might change my mind, but I've not tried them yet.

I suppose you could always look for a friend who can have a rooster, and loan a hen or two out! They should be fertile for a week or two following a conjugal visit. Of course half the offspring will be roosters.

Sorry, I'm trying to be helpful. I maybe am not succeeding very well. Have you posted pictures of your birds anywhere?

 

[FunnyBunny89]

Hi! I just wanted to share my experience with Easter Eggers and Wyandottes. I live in a region that gets up to 110 F in the height of summer, and down to maybe 20 F at the lowest in the winter. Both the EEs and Wyandottes do well in either, as long as they can get dry in their coop and warm it with their bodies. In the summer, I just spray the shaded areas in the run and keep the water fresh and cool, and they get through it. The laying only really goes down when the EEs molt in December and January, but my Wyandottes are molting right now.

The Wyandottes are larger and fluffier, so they pant more in the heat, but they do okay when I give them wet areas to cool down in.

Regarding their health hardiness, all but one of my EEs have had zero health issues. One of them develops a swollen face occasionally, and the vet couldn't figure out what was causing it. But she is otherwise fine 99% of the time.
Otherwise, all my chickens so far have been healthy and hardy and they free range.

 

[Sanderguy777]

That tracks. And no, unfortunately I don't know a chicken breed where the rooster doesn't make noise. I've got some really small bantams where they're marginally quieter, and kind of sound cute. But while locked inside a shed in the dead of winter, you can still hear them and recognize them as roosters from at least 50 yards away.

The muscovies / quail / pigeons would be to have the enjoyment of raising your own birds. I suppose indoor cage birds would work as well.

Of those, only the muscovies produce a useful size and quantity of eggs. Quail can produce useful eggs, but I personally find it annoying to open 3 eggs to get the equivalent of a chicken egg. I've got some quail egg scissors that supposedly might change my mind, but I've not tried them yet.

I suppose you could always look for a friend who can have a rooster, and loan a hen or two out! They should be fertile for a week or two following a conjugal visit. Of course half the offspring will be roosters.

Sorry, I'm trying to be helpful. I maybe am not succeeding very well. Have you posted pictures of your birds anywhere?

I haven't got any of the new ones yet. I may have posted some of the original 4 here, but idk.

You are being helpful. The quail or muscovies might be an option someday, but I'm building a coop and just ordered 6 chicks, so it's too late to change for this year.

My experience with ducks is having a few mallards as a kid, but we had no pond, so they got a kiddie pool LOL. I would like them for mosquito control, but apparently they need different food and it's just too much for the moment . I'll definitely get some if I ever get a real farm, though (not just my city-stead I'm technically stretching the limit of birds for LOL)

On the scissors, I saw a video of them, and they seemed amazing. I wish they had some for chicken eggs that worked that perfectly LOL

 

[Sanderguy777]

Hi! I just wanted to share my experience with Easter Eggers and Wyandottes. I live in a region that gets up to 110 F in the height of summer, and down to maybe 20 F at the lowest in the winter. Both the EEs and Wyandottes do well in either, as long as they can get dry in their coop and warm it with their bodies. In the summer, I just spray the shaded areas in the run and keep the water fresh and cool, and they get through it. The laying only really goes down when the EEs molt in December and January, but my Wyandottes are molting right now.

The Wyandottes are larger and fluffier, so they pant more in the heat, but they do okay when I give them wet areas to cool down in.

Regarding their health hardiness, all but one of my EEs have had zero health issues. One of them develops a swollen face occasionally, and the vet couldn't figure out what was causing it. But she is otherwise fine 99% of the time.
Otherwise, all my chickens so far have been healthy and hardy and they free range.

January!? What kind of idiot chicken thinks 20⁰ weather is a good time to molt!? LOL

I didn't end up getting the Wyandottes this year, but I might next time. They do sound like great birds!

 

[SnackMeat]

For cold hardy, I would look to swedish flowers. Not the biggest but seems to check some of the boxes. From what I've read they don't just tolerate the cold, they love it.