Need help from my fellow Alaskans!

[Alaska animal lover]

I plan on insulating very well and having a couple of heat lamps. It dosen't stay at 50 below for long, that is just as cold as I have seen it get here.
I will put an extra barrier on the inside to keep them from tearing out the insulation. Do you have exterior access doors to collect eggs?

 

[eggzettera]

And remember only a laying chicken needs the oyster shell, chicks & roosters do not need it....that is why you keep it seperate & free choice......

 

[Alaska animal lover]

Thank you eggzettera.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I have to go into the coop to get the eggs. I made it 8x8' and 7' tall in the front so I wouldn't bonk my head.

hehehe...

We got a McMurray catalog when we first started out, and I read the description of every chicken in there. If it said "cold hardy", "rose comb", "lays well"... I got it.

Not all of them survived the trip up as chicks, but most did. The Wyandottes have those little walnut combs that are good for cold weather too.
Now, the Dorkings that I'm trying to raise have single combs or rose combs. I hear the single combs do ok in the winter, too, and the hens continue to lay at the really cold temps. I'm hoping to test out that theory next winter.

 

[kodiakchicken]

Hello to a fellow Alaskan!

We just got our chicks from Triple D hatchery in Palmer or Wasilla (can't remember but they have a website). They have quite a variety and a list that tells you their characteristics for egg laying, color, etc. Check out their FAQ page and their order/price list.

http://www.alaskatripled.com/order.html

We ordered Araucanas (I'm having trouble with aggression/pecking in one of them), Austrolorps, Wyandottes and Buff Orpingtons. I chose based on laying and cold hardiness. We don't get the minus temps that you do but we have a lot of wet weather.

The coop I'm building is from the chicken playhouse plans sold on E-bay. I liked it because it has a little enclosed run, an enclosed covered area with roosts that you can lock them in and outside doors for egg collection. Just search e-bay for chicken coop playhouse and you should find it.

Best of luck!

 

[Alaska animal lover]

I hadn't thought of e-bay.
I ws just at Tripple D yesterday! I was going to ask if anyone had experience with them.
I saw a post warning about de-beaked birds. Is this something to worry about?

 

[Mrs MIA]

I've gotten chicks from them, too. I think they get most of their stock from Ideal, but don't quote me on that.
I can't imagine ever de-beaking a bird...

nope!

 

[snowydiamonds]

Just got my lil ones from Triple D (Palmer) day before yesterday and they are sending (in a couple or three weeks) Banties, Blue Lace Wyandottes

I'll know whether my geese have hatched their eggs by then and have another cage set up, too...

I walk in my coops, no matter the weather outside, inside we are all happy campers and deep bedding method except half of the bedding comes out every Saturday and replaced w/clean until it warms up and then we'll figure more often and more...cleaning that is!

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

I'd recommend building your coop a little more floor space then you actually need. This will give your hens extra room to move around in on the really cold days when you keep them shut inside. (it will also make it easier should you decide to expand your flock later). And like my wife said build taller that yourself. I cant go see the ducks without smacking into something.

 

[Alaska animal lover]

Thanks everyone! I am so glad I found this site.
I will be looking at a building this weekend that a friend of my grandmothers said I can have. I will have to move it from Palmer to Big Lake, and insulate it etc, etc. It might not be worth it depending on the shape to start out with.
Thanks again and I will be using this site like crazy for many months in the future I'm sure.