Montana

[BitterrootChickenLady]

Hey howdy hey,
Helena here. I've got about 50+ chickens here, about 13 breeds. I just hatched out welsummers and silkies and BC marans will be in the bator soon. I don't use the DE, I couldn't find it either so I use vinegar in the coops water. We had 13 inches of snow a couple of nights ago.

I am in western montana, south of Missoula. Are you near?

 

[BitterrootChickenLady]

hi, I'm from Ravalli County

Me too! Building our coop now for chicks in the spring. Building a covered run and fenced area in the spring when the chicks are growing. What breeds do you like for our climate?

 

[BitterrootChickenLady]

Hello, Missoula neighbor. I'm in Stevensville. There are only a few of us from the banana belt. Are any of you Montanans members of the MT Poultry Fanciers Assn.? I just joined a while back, after their Hamilton show in May. And I'm hoping to attend the Great Falls show in Oct., I believe. They also have a website that's a Yahoo group. They're a very nice group of folks. I really enjoyed the Hamilton show. Anyone else with chickens in the Western MT fair this week? I've entered my very rare Cream Brabanter and a black Blue-Laced Red Wyandotte. They judged last night, so I hope I'm greeted with a ribbon when I go feed this morning. It's funny, how you say, "I don't really care about the ribbons." But still hope and wish that you get one. My main reason, though, was so people could see the Brabanter, since I've fallen in love with the breed. They're just so colorful, and nice quiet birds. At least, the pullet is; I don't have any cockerels yet. Next spring...
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I am in Victor! Hey neighbor! will be getting my first chicks in the spring. What breeds do you find handle our chilly climate the best?

 

[BitterrootChickenLady]

Hello from I am from Florence. I have a lot of chickens I do have a one or two black slikies the are about three months old. beware slikies are very addictive. there are so darn cute.

Hey there neighbor! I live in Victor. Silkies do well in our chilly climate? Getting my first chicks in spring and ibwas keaning towards plymouth barred rocks, australorps and/or wyandottes because of their cold hardiness and egg laying. Any comments are super appreciated.

 

[Bantambird]

Silkies technically don't have the normal top layer of feathers that keep the air layer locked in. They can be ok in our climate, but keep an eye when it gets really cold. Typically, the chickens breeds that do best are those that have rose combs, pea combs, or v combs. Large single combs, certain game cocks, and some of the more ornate mediterranean breeds like Spanish White faced Black, or Pendescenda, or Egyptian Faoumi won't do real well here. English chickens can do alright, especially Orpingtons. Some more breeds are Americaunas, Chauntecler, Hedemora(if you don't get hot summers, Hedemora are sensitive above 80F ) and other northern european or scandanavian, or russian breeds like Orloff, can all do well here. I like my Marans, they do tolerate the climate, both the hot summers and the cold winters. There are more than just these, you should be able to find lots more acclimated breeds. If you have a particular trait you are looking for in your weather tolerant breed, just ask! Generally, feed store chicks will do alright, so if that's what you are after, go for it! The best way to help your chickens survive the winters here is good housing. Use deep litter method in winter to help provide a little heat, make sure you are ventilating excess moisture and ammonia away from the coop, and use infrared heat if you must use heat. I wouldn't reccomend heating your whole coop up. If your chickens don't get used to the cold, it can be very shocking to them to get exposed when they aren't acclimated. It can lead to pneumonia! Providing extra calories when it is particularly cold, using special treats like corn, can really make a difference. I usually only feed out corn when it is brutal cold. It ferments a little in the crop, and it is pure calories. Corn is just sugar, but it burns hot! There are lot of other winter prep things, but I hope this helps a little.

 

[Bantambird]

Also, treats like corn should make up no more than 10% of your overall calories

 

[BitterrootChickenLady]

Silkies technically don't have the normal top layer of feathers that keep the air layer locked in. They can be ok in our climate, but keep an eye when it gets really cold. Typically, the chickens breeds that do best are those that have rose combs, pea combs, or v combs. Large single combs, certain game cocks, and some of the more ornate mediterranean breeds like Spanish White faced Black, or Pendescenda, or Egyptian Faoumi won't do real well here. English chickens can do alright, especially Orpingtons. Some more breeds are Americaunas, Chauntecler, Hedemora(if you don't get hot summers, Hedemora are sensitive above 80F ) and other northern european or scandanavian, or russian breeds like Orloff, can all do well here. I like my Marans, they do tolerate the climate, both the hot summers and the cold winters. There are more than just these, you should be able to find lots more acclimated breeds. If you have a particular trait you are looking for in your weather tolerant breed, just ask! Generally, feed store chicks will do alright, so if that's what you are after, go for it! The best way to help your chickens survive the winters here is good housing. Use deep litter method in winter to help provide a little heat, make sure you are ventilating excess moisture and ammonia away from the coop, and use infrared heat if you must use heat. I wouldn't reccomend heating your whole coop up. If your chickens don't get used to the cold, it can be very shocking to them to get exposed when they aren't acclimated. It can lead to pneumonia! Providing extra calories when it is particularly cold, using special treats like corn, can really make a difference. I usually only feed out corn when it is brutal cold. It ferments a little in the crop, and it is pure calories. Corn is just sugar, but it burns hot! There are lot of other winter prep things, but I hope this helps a little.

Thank you so much! Traits I am looking for in cold hardy birds are: excellent layers, docile/friendly, not broody. I think those are the biggies. Good foragers would be a plus.

 

[troyer]

Hello, I recently moved to Montana and raise Cubalaya in bantam and standard size. Here is a current bantam breeding pair that I have.

 

[Bantambird]

Hello, I recently moved to Montana and raise Cubalaya in bantam and standard size. Here is a current bantam breeding pair that I have.View attachment 4047652

Nice! Those combs should make them easier to deal with in our weather, even being Caribbean, they look like decent all purpose beauties. How are they acclimating?

 

[troyer]

Nice! Those combs should make them easier to deal with in our weather, even being Caribbean, they look like decent all purpose beauties. How are they acclimating?

They are doing really well. No frostbite issues at all.