What's Best Breed Dual-Purpose Plus small comb

[rnau]

Buckeyes

 

[randomchick]

thanks everyone. I have never even heard of a buckeye before now, but I will definitly be keeping my eye out for them now.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I was first thinking Wyandottes'and second Buckeyes. Others mentioned these. The real reason I am posting is, since you are having frostbite issues with an insulated coop and a heat lamp, have you read Pat's cold weather coop and ventilation pages? Here are the links.

Pat’s Winter Coop Temperatures
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-winter-coop-temperatures

Pat’s Ventilation
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

I'm sure my temperatures do not compare with yours, but my chickens were walking around outside this morning, with no wind blowing, in 3 degrees F. That is (-)16 C. No frostbite. My coop is not insulated or heated. You can see from my signature what breeds I have. All are single combed.

I agree the small combed breeds are a great choice for cold weather and I expect you have really cold weather regularly. I'm just trying to highlight that comb size is not the only consideration.

 

[usschicago1]

I dont know guys, i think the rosecomb full size rhode island red are your best bet.

 

[matthewschickens]

I also might look at Dominques.
Our are still young but they have rose combs and I have heard that they are good layers.
But I have also heard great things about Whyantottes and Buckeyes!!
Our RIR's are not very nice and I do not know where you can get them rose comb.

Matthew

 

[lighthawk]

Here is a site that compares various breeds of chickens based on hardiness/egg laying/ temperament.
I fouind it helpful in making my decision on the birds I will order for my own flock.
http://www.raising-chickens.org/backyard-chicken-breeds.html
Good luck.

 

[randomchick]

Just to give you all a perspective, on a good day the temp is 23degree F and 1degree F at night. On a bad day it dips down to -40 degrees F. Plus wind chill. Right now it is 1 degree F, or -17C, plus a wind chill of 20km/h.

I think this summer I will have to build a barn big enough to have the chickens in with the pigs for warmth. Plus get better cold hard breeds.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
RIR would not even be in the top 20 as a choice, very little meat and in no way can be considered a DP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
White Plymouth rocks are a good choice, with lots of meat and lay very well and grow pretty fast.

AL

 

[Bantimna]

Chantechercel (sp)?

 

[CelticMoon1]

Quote:
I know, we have downwards to -30 C these days, haven't had as cold as -40 yet this year - but ours are coping well, no frostbite and we've had chooks for about 10 years. Well, no frostbite on the Wyandottes anyway

We did have an Australorp roo that got frostbite on his comb a few years back. Our Wyandottes lay well year-round and there's plenty on meat on them.