new to raising backyard chickens, help!

[parksjessica]

We are wanting to to raise 2-3 backyard chickens. We have a fenced in area that we will be keeping the coop (that we made) in. As well as we will be making a small run to attatch. I live in Canada, Ontario and was wondering how the chickens are you going to survive the winters here. They drop down to -20s -30s. Will 2-3 chickens survive?

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. We have folks here who successfully maintain birds in Alaska. Pick winter hardy breeds, and you should be fine. Type 'Ontario Canada' in the search bar and pertinent threads should be located. Good luck, and hurry winter is on it's way.

 

[Norseman]

We are wanting to to raise 2-3 backyard chickens. We have a fenced in area that we will be keeping the coop (that we made) in. As well as we will be making a small run to attatch. I live in Canada, Ontario and was wondering how the chickens are you going to survive the winters here. They drop down to -20s -30s. Will 2-3 chickens survive?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Hello! Welcome to our roost! We hope you enjoy it here as much as we do!!!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might try posting in this thread and chatting with your neighbors about it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/canadians-check-in-here.144/page-424

 

[Norseman]

I think chickens would do fine in your neck of the woods as long as you have the proper set up and research the right breeds for cold climates. Mousture is the biggedt problem in cold weather. Your coop needs to sufficiently ventilate so poop dries out, Cold and wet is a recipe gor frost bite. Roosting bar needs to be the right size for the chickens’ feathers to cover their feet when roosting. Would recommend having a half dozen in your flock if you have room for them.

 

[parksjessica]

I think chickens would do fine in your neck of the woods as long as you have the proper set up and research the right breeds for cold climates. Mousture is the biggedt problem in cold weather. Your coop needs to sufficiently ventilate so poop dries out, Cold and wet is a recipe gor frost bite. Roosting bar needs to be the right size for the chickens’ feathers to cover their feet when roosting. Would recommend having a half dozen in your flock if you have room for them.

are heating lamps a necessessity or do you think the proper coop and ventaliation will be ok

 

[Ridgerunner]

Jessica I think you will find that some of your neighbors provide heat and some don't. Some of that is personal preference or they are afraid not to. Some of that comes from experience, they had a problem and added heat to solve it. Some have the experience that they don't need to add heat. Some insulate the coop, some don't.

It's not an easy yes or no type of question. How cold hardy your chickens are is part of it. How your coop is built is part of it. I'd think a coop built ion the ground will be better than a small elevated one. Here are some articles written by a lady living in Ontario that might help you.


Pat’s Cold Coop (winter design) page:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/winter-coop-temperatures.47763/


Pat’s Big Ol' Ventilation Page

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop.47774/


Pat’s Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs):

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-fix-a-muddy-run-chicken-coop.47807/

 

[NonnasBabies]

Welcome

 

[Norseman]

are heating lamps a necessessity or do you think the proper coop and ventaliation will be ok

Chickens usually adjust to cold fairly well, it’s the heat that they tend to have problems with. If you use heat lamps they tend not to adjust properly when it gets cold - Because they become acustomed to the lamps Compensating for them. You could buy a heat lamp and keep it on standby for when it gets really really cold -in the teens or lower for extended periods. If it drops down that low for just a few days they should be fine. A really good coop that keeps them out of the wind and rain will spare you a lot of trouble