New to the flock

[Mrsmcgoo96]

We live in southwest North Dakota in a town of about 250. I've wanted chickens since we moved here 12 years ago. Until recently we were not allowed to have them, even though it's not even a town, more of a village with a bar and part-time post office.
Anyway, we will be allowed to have 3-6 chickens, no other types of birds. We have about a 1/2 acre, fully fenced. We plan to build a chicken tractor style of coop with enclosed run. We want to be able to move them around the yard and keep them away from our dogs and cats.
We want them for eggs and pets. When they are ready for the stew pot we will sell them to someone who can dispatch them.
I'd love to know what others in cold climates do to keep their birds warm in winter. That's my biggest concern.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
A dry, well ventilated coop is enough to keep chickens warm during the winter.

 

[N F C]

Hello, it's nice to have you here with us! Here in WY, my flock does well with lots of ventilation, protection from the wind and a heated waterer.

Best wishes!

 

[Mrsmcgoo96]

Welcome to BYC.
A dry, well ventilated coop is enough to keep chickens warm during the winter.

Our winters are very cold, -30° and colder, highs can be well below zero for weeks at a time. We will only have 6 birds at most.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[N F C]

Our winters are very cold, -30° and colder, highs can be well below zero for weeks at a time. We will only have 6 birds at most.

There are some good articles about winter chicken keeping in the Learning Center (it's under the Articles tab). Here's one of them: winter-chicken-keeping.67128

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska !

 

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at BYC, you are very welcome here.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Welcome from New Orleans. Sorry I can't be of help, we have the opposite problem here.