What breed would be best for upstate NY?

[armytalker]

I live in upstate NY, near Albany. We have fairly long winters and can at times get into the negative temperatures (-20). I would like to raise chickens, but wonder if there is a certain breed that handles the cold better than others. I plan on doing what I can about regulating the temperature for them, but given the environment, I would appreciate any advice on breeds that anyone can share. Thanks!

 

[hinkjc]

I don't think our winters get near as cold as yours, but I find that pea comb breeds do best and don't have the issues with frostbite. Our araucana do wonderful here. The orpington is a great cold hardy bird, however the combs on the roos take a hard hit in bitter cold temps.

 

[Wifezilla]

You could get a duck. Many duck breeds lay better than chickens. Of course, my answer is always "get a duck" so you can ignore me if you want

 

[standardbanty]

Brahmas are great. They have a pea comb feathered feet and are known for being very hardy in cold climates.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Standard cochins are cold hardy and lay in the winter. They may have comb issues like the Orps though. It would be best if you have some kind of heat source in your coop- even if it's just a water warmer. We're in the Mts in TN and it DOES get cold here. We had plenty of single digit windy days. The biggest problem I had was the waterers freezing solid. This year I won't be so cheap!

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

All of hte above suggewstions ar great! I have orpingtons and found they did just fine last winter, without supplemental heat.

I would say that if you have a properly built coop, one without drafts, and plenty of ventilation, most any breed would be fine. If you can, it would be worthwhile to insulate your coop well.

Henderson's Chicken Chart might help you choose:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Good luck!

 

[Sachasmom]

I had Americanas and Barred Rocks all winter... Mine refused to use the coop, I got tired of rescuing snow covered chickens and told them if they wanted to play in the snow, go ahead.

They all look fine, the Roo had some frostbite on his comb, that was about it. They were pretty cold hardy, I even got an occasional egg, although if I didn't get it right away, it froze!

 

[Wifezilla]

Ducks don't have combs....just sayin' :

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

Wifezilla has a great point... Ducks have no combs or wattles to freeze and they're always wearing down jackets! They can be great layers, and they don't scratch/dig up your lawn!

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
I too live in upstate NY-a bit west of you where it's even colder.. Over the years I have raised somewhere near 80 different breeds/varieties of chickens. All have done fine. My "chicken friends" raise many breeds as well. The only winter problem I ever had was frozen comb points on the large combed males ie: Andalusians & Leghorns.
The above poster from the frozen reaches of Vermont is right. In a properly built & maintained coop most any breed should do ok.