New to chickens, can they be raised in Alaska????

[Arctichicken]

OK I'm very new to this forum and even forums in general. My family and I are in the process of moving to Alaska. We want to start raising chickens once we are settled in. We have never raised chickens before. We currenty have 6 kids and raise Alaskan Malamutes. So my question is, does anyone live or raise chickens in Alaska (or a similar climate)? Can it be done sucessfully? What are some of the best breeds to use for cold (very cold) weather? I have heard Brahmas are good or Orpingtons or Cochins? Is this true? We are not moving to the Arctic, more like South Central Alaska. I am doing as much research as possibe but if anyone can help that would be awesome. Thanks

 

[mmajw]

Yes they can be raised in Alaska. There are several people on the forum that are from Alaska. You may want to post something in the Where are you section as well. Good luck you will love them.

Oh and

 

[olivesmom]

We did not raise chickens in Alaska but spent 4 years living between there and California for my husbands job (he is a pilot) ... and we loved it! You are so lucky! Good luck with the chickens ... we were in Juneau and had some wonderful beach bar-b-ques with great weather. I am guessing the winters will be the area you'll have tomanage.

Again good luck,

Charlotte

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

Mrs. Bird Brain here... I keep forgetting to log hubby off!

Another soon-to-be Alaskan!! Greetings from the Kenai Peninsula! There are people from Nome, Wasilla, Big Lake, I'm sure there are more, but I can't remember at the moment!
Yeppers... they do really well up here. There are several threads discussing the challenges we face, but for the most part they're pretty easy to care for here.

Where will you be?

 

[Mrs MIA]

OK... much better..

Here's one link...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=50638

I think if you do a search on "Alaska" it will pull up some of the threads. But we're here for any questions!

 

[gypsygirl1421]

The only problem you may have raising the chickens is the alaskan Malmutes. I have 2 friends that got pups from a man that raised sled dogs and gave sled dog rides in the adirondacks, and both dogs killed theirs and neighboring farms poultry then moved on 2 sheep. And these dogs never hung out or saw each other. It just seems to be an instinct with them. Yours may be perfectly fine but it is something to consider in advance when building coops.

 

[Arctichicken]

Oh that is soooo good to hear. Yeah we can't wait to get there should be in the next few weeks. We are seriously looking into the Wasilla/Palmer area but do not want to live in the city. Hopefully we can find a farm house or similar out in the country to rent for a while until we can build our own home. Hubby is a carpenter. All depends on where we can find work. Thanks for the links will go check em out now.
Was I right on the breeds that do good up there? I got a catalog from McMurray hatchery and I really like the brahmas and cochins. Thanks again.

 

[Arctichicken]

Quote:
Oh definitly, Mals have very high prey instincts. No the chicks would be seperate. I'm more worried about the eagles/hawks. Will probably need to put a chicken wire ceiling up in their outside area. I want to see what would help them be free range without losing them to all of the big birds.

 

[Arctichicken]

Quote:
Hopefully Mat-su but all depends on where hubby can find carpenter/construction work.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Oh boy... you're in luck then... Alaskanhenhouse (Teresa) lives up that way, but there's a small hatchery there in Palmer - Triple D Farms. They have all sorts of chicks right now.

Wasilla/Palmer/Big Lake - those are all outside the "big city" of Anchorage - you should do well finding a place out there, and if hubby is handy with the tools, even better.

If you watch out for frostbite, ANY chicken will do well here. But that being said, the ones with the rose/walnut combs seem to fare better in the winter when it's -30 to -40F. The Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorp, EEs/Auracaunas, Wyandottes, Light Brahmas, Rhode Island Reds... we have these and they all do really well. The RIRs are egg-laying machines right now! They don't need a LOT of heat... a cozy coop to get out of the elements, and a heat lamp to keep the water/eggs from freezing in the winter. We have an electric fence around the pens to keep dogs/bears out, and covered runs to keep the eagles from picking them off like a drive-thru...

I like the Mat/Su area ~ farmland on the outskirts of the city... still close enough to "go to town" so to speak, but far enough out that you can breathe.

Have a safe move... keep in touch!