1. Cold-weather chickens often have smaller combs and wattles, meaning that there is less exposed flesh on these birds. In most climates, dual-purpose breeds that are good for egg and meat production are usually sufficient for cold temperatures just above single digits, and maybe even a little below, on the Fahrenheit scale. When picking chickens for cold weather, there are three simple things to keep in mind: weight class, feathering, and comb size. One of the best ways to ensure you enjoy a good experience with chickens in cold climates is to choose a breed that is known for being winter-hardy. That being said, this dual-purpose bird is also a great meat producer. Ameraucana chickens lay beautiful medium sized blue eggs. The Red Sex Link is one of the best cold hardy free-range birds, and they will lay between 250 to 300 eggs per year. They are more prone to losing circulation from the cold and becoming frostbitten. Tasha, This article is written in America and we use Fahrenheit. The breeds that are the most cold-hardy have smaller wattles and combs. – I Was Targeted To Die. Chanteclers are one of our favorite cold hardy chicken breeds. They are easy to care for because they adapt well to a penned or free-range environment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Another reason Chanteclers are great in cold climates is because they are one of the only breeds to come out of Canada, and were bred to be one of the most cold hardy chickens. Luckily, most of my ladies are pretty hardy to begin with. For even more winter protection, choose chicken breeds that have extra-heavy feathering. They’re also bred as bantam chickens! I’ll have to check them out soon! For a bantam, the breed is rather cold-hardy, so it’s a wonderful addition to a backyard flock in a colder climate. First of all, they come in many colors including partridge, silver laced, white, mottled, blue, and black. The Speckled Sussex chicken is the perfect cold hardy breed. So, in extreme conditions, take measures to keep your chicken’s feet feathers dry. Cold hardy breeds typically have smaller combs and wattles and thick, fluffy plumage. It is a particularly good layer but also will produce a decent carcass. Hey, yes please. Also, remember the lessons learned from Rasputin, the frostbitten chicken. So, you don’t have to compromise chicken cuteness, productivity, and good disposition, to also get great all-winter birds. Dominique chickens are sweet and very social, their personalities are an excellent addition to any flock. I live in a cold climate and hope to one day add chickens, so knowing which breeds can tolerate the cold will help me a lot. This British breed is quite famous throughout Europe and the U.S. The really wonderful things about all of the cold-hardy breeds above is that they are great egg layers, excellent backyard chickens, and happen to be beautiful to boot! They are protective of the flock. Do you live in a region that reaches extremely cold temperatures? We’ve put together a big list of our favorite cold hardy chicken breeds for you to choose from so you can make an educated decision to expand or start your new chicken flock. Additionally, you want to be prepared to offer your chickens some emergency cold-condition remedies if you have weather that’s more extreme than normal (as many of us did this past winter). The feathering gives a few more degrees’ worth of cold tolerance. The hens weigh 4 to 5 pounds. It would be easier if we were all on the same system. Check out these five cold-hardy breeds that are known for thriving in colder temperatures. And make sure you have a plan for how to prevent and treat frostbite. Great memory! Rhode Island Reds. Tasha Greer is a regular contributor to The Grow Network and has cowritten several e-books with Marjory Wildcraft. White Dorkings (Note: The Dorking breed may have either single or rose combs. The best cold hardy chicken breeds are those with small combs and wattles and plenty of meat on their bones. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. But I haven’t had the chance to raise any yet, so I wasn’t entirely sure about their cold/heat tolerance. They have a lot of spunk and personality, and are often at the top of the pecking order. Consider these breeds for extra feathers: One of the biggest risks to chickens in cold weather is frostbite on their combs. Cold-Hardy Breeds. Brahma chickens are a dual purpose breed. You can learn more about the plight of my poor frostbitten chicken, Rasputin, here. This makes them more susceptible to cooler weather, even rai… Required fields are marked *. This combination can lead to frostbite on the red fleshy combs and wattles on chickens’ heads. This our first time raising chickens for eggs. With a smaller exposed area, there is a dramatically diminished risk of frostbite or exposure. New Hampshire Red. Also, paying special attention to the condition of larger rooster combs in winter is important. They made our Chickens That Lay 300 eggs a year list. While most chickens are fairly cold-tolerant as a general rule, some breeds seem to enjoy cold temperatures more than others. Although the two variations look very different and were developed separately as two different breeds, the registry authorities high-handedly decided only one name was necessary from Canada. But here’s the passage from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This heavy weight breed is great in cold weather and the hens are good layers too. I remember reading that name in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. They are protective of the flock. Although they look alike, the New Hampshire Red chickens are considerably larger. I suspect power loss as well here in Greensboro, so that would also harm my eggs. Most of them have caramel-brown feathers with white feathers around their necks and tail. Cochin chickens are one of the most varied and beautiful breeds out there. They have a good temperament and adapt well to both confinement and free range. Chickens with a large comb and wattles are more likely to get frostbite because their body has a hard time regulating the temperature. Australorps are known for being docile, calm, and having sweet personalities. Chicken Egg Colors: Which Breeds Lay Colored Eggs? This breed goes broody often and they are wonderful and very protective mothers. _____ Top 15 Cold Hardy Chicken Breeds. But certain breeds, such as those with large combs and wattles, those with smaller body masses and some of the more fragile breeds don't do as well in the winter as those breeds considered cold-hardy. Sort By: Newest First Most Popular Price (High to Low) Price (Low to High) Name (A-Z) Name (Z-A) Thanks for sharing! If you live in a cold climate and are considering raising chickens, you’re going to need to get cold hardy chicken breeds to ensure the success of your flock. Delaware: These guys lay large medium to dark brown eggs and are good winter layers. Chickens are susceptible to getting frostbite on their exposed skin in the winter. -- … These lovely birds are also good layers of light brown eggs. 3. If you live in a section of the country where the winter temperatures fall below freezing, snow and ice arrive early and stay late and the sun takes a vacation, and you still want eggs for breakfast, consider getting cold-hardy layer breeds, such as the Brahmas, Chanteclers and Wyandottes. Three best dual-purpose chickens include: Black Australorp, its friendly, a great egg layer, and a great mother. Despite their fancy headwear and their ability to withstand cold climates, these chickens are incredibly heat tolerant. What Makes a Heat-Tolerant Chicken Breed? This chicken is perfect for beginner chicken keepers because they’re low maintenance and hardy. If you do live in chilly climates and are considering entering the rewarding world of backyard chicken keeping, then the breeds listed above will adapt to your environment with ease. Dominiques are very cold hardy chickens because they have a small rose comb and big bodies which help protect them from the cold. If you want a hen that does well laying a good amount of eggs and raises her chicks well, Sussex fits the bill. The Orpington is a great layer and is a dual purpose breed. You can expect 250-300 large, light brown eggs from this little trooper! I want them to be comfortable and happy. Can you imagine your poor chickens without this? Rose combs and pea combs do better at protecting chickens from the cold. Learn how your comment data is processed. There are plenty to choose from, as you will see from the list below, and although pure bred chickens, in the main, are pretty to look at, mixed-breeds are more hardy, and often very good layers for the backyard chicken … They have beautiful black iridescent feathers and a small single comb with small wattles. The Plymouth Rock is one of the most well known and best loved chickens in the farm or backyard. The last ones I got from you have just hatched and they are beautiful. But my lightweight, giant-combed Lakenvelder rooster and my dear, sweet rooster Rasputin had me a bit worried. They are also on the critical list, and are difficult to find in the US. The article was interesting and I love the pictures! Chanteclers and buckeyes are typically cited as the two cold-hardiest breeds in that sense. They are not the best egg-layers but are widely known for their friendly personalities and gorgeous coloring. They are particularly cold hardy because they have a pea comb and very small wattles, so they are less prone to frostbite. And that story takes place up in New England. They go broody often and their friendly disposition makes them wonderful mothers. It can tolerate both cold and hot temperatures and is the ideal backyard chicken breed. Copyright © 2020 Backyard Chicken Project. They are a dual purpose breed and are known for being one of the greatest brown egg layers of all time. We have Wyandotte’s and Americana. More Breeds for the Freeze Australorp chickens lay medium sized light brown eggs. With striking plumage and a docile personality, these chickens are some of the most popular at 4H shows. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. ….and even bright chanticleer himself lay sprawling on his back, in a side dish, with uplifted claws, as if craving that quarter which his chivalrous spirit disdained to ask while living. Speckled Sussex , which is beautiful and nice, protective as well. You can also check out these general tips on winter livestock watering for inspiration: Read More: “7 Ways to Keep Livestock Water Tanks from Freezing”, (This is an updated version of an article that was originally published on February 24, 2018.). There’s that, for whatever it’s worth. 3. If you are looking for good laying hens in general, trying to decide on the best chicken breed for you. Now, read on for some recommendations to help you choose chicken breeds that will come through the cold with flying colors! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They are good climbers and enjoy hanging out in the treetops. Dominique chickens are sweet and very social, their personalities are an excellent addition to any flock. I would rather that they be safer lol. Polish and Silkie chickens don’t have water-resistant feathers. How to Keep Chicken Water from Freezing This Winter, What’s Next! Choose chicken breeds that have a fair amount of fat. Ultimate Guide to Raising Chickens in the Winter! The author of “Grow Your Own Spices” (December 2020), she also blogs for MorningChores.com and Mother Earth News. Some breeds are naturally more hardy, resistant to the cold, and persistent layers through winter. These lovely birds are also good layers of light brown eggs. Not only do our temperatures dip below freezing, but we also have weather that can be damp and windy. This breed is a great pet because it’s docile, friendly, easily handled, and good with children. Chantecler. They are dependable layers, providing a good supply of eggs even during the colder months. Thanks for the reminder! Sussex are cold hardy chickens that steadily lay eggs and go broody often. Australorps lay an incredible amount of eggs. They are hardy in both heat and cold. To read the other articles in the series, click on the links below: Here on our homestead in North Carolina, we had some crazy-cold weather this past winter. They’re large and have an abundance of feathers, not only on their bodies, but on their feet too! Wyandottes have big bodies and big personalities to match. Australorp They’re good layers and are known to lay right through the winter. A gorgeous rust-colored chicken, the Rhode Island Red is also one of the best egg-laying chicken breeds, producing up to 300 eggs per year. The Wyandotte is a large breed that we’ve found to be extremely cold hardy. Very informative. Most chicken breeds are hardy creatures, often tolerating cold weather better than their human owners! I am afraid they will freeze. Brahma chickens come in a variety of colors including light, buff, and dark. I know! Check out the next installment of our Cold-Weather Chicken Care series to learn about methods for keeping water from freezing in the coop. Learn how your comment data is processed. They also have a cute feathered beard under their beak! Consider choosing a … ). If you are looking for cold-hardy combs, choose the White Dorking with a rose comb.) Rhode Island Reds were originally developed in New England (specifically Massachusetts and Rhode Island – does the name make sense?) Appenzellers are the national birds of Switzerland. (Well, that, and because those great big combs are like flashing neon signs of virility and masculinity that help attract the beautiful ladies.). Rhode Island Reds are a good choice for the small flock owner. They also come in frizzle variety, although the frizzles will be slightly less cold hardy than non-frizzled. 1. The term sex link in chickens means that the color at hatching indicates which sex the chicken is because different colors at hatching tell them apart. The Chantecler, a dual purpose breed that make good roasters and are also winter layers, was developed in Quebec to handle Canadian winters. Unfortunately, in wet, windy, and icy conditions, large combs are a liability. There is also the Canadian chicken, Chantecler, that was developed for the Canadian harsh climate, I almost included that one. In warmer temps, combs are actually a cooling device that helps regulate the rest of a chicken’s body temperature. The Lohmann Browns are medium-sized chickens. I am in North Carolina. The most common variety is the “barred” rock, a chicken with banded feathers that give it a … I am in North Carolina, US, so I’m just more comfortable with the Fahrenheit scale since I grew up with it. If you have more space and want an independent and hardy chicken that needs little help from you, raise Icelandic chickens. So when it comes time to selecting which breeds you would like to keep in your colder climate, consider the following. Hens are great layers of brown eggs, and both sexes are great meat birds. Barred Rocks are particularly good for cold climates and free ranging. You can read more about some easy ideas for increasing chicken comfort in winter here. You’re right Lynn. If you’re interested in getting a Wyandotte, be sure to check out our full breed spotlight on this breed! If you are looking for cold-hardy combs, choose the White Dorking with a rose comb. The eggs are brown colored, and if you like brown eggs, a Red Sex Link should be first on your list. […] The Best Cold Hardy Chicken Breeds […], Your email address will not be published. Cochins have a small single comb and warm feathers on their feet to help protect them from the cold. Chickens tend to be cold-hardy in general, handling the winter months far better than the heat of the summer. Hens are a decent size and tend to reach six or seven pounds in weight, with roosters being a pound or two more. They have full bodies which makes them a good dual purpose breed and the large size helps to keep them warm in winter. They are great cold weather chickens and will do well in the heat. They are generally friendly, easily handled and calm. Heavier birds tend to have more cold tolerance than lean birds. However, in some conditions, feathery feet may actually be more at risk for frostbite if wet feathers ice over. This heavy weight breed is great in cold weather and the hens are good … Had to look it up! Being both cold and heat hardy, Rhode Island Reds are good for any climate. so they are well-adapted to … Australorps also make great family pets, and are delightful additions to any backyard - … There are four articles in this series on different strategies for cold-weather chicken care. These birds all thrive in colder climates and the majority of these five cold weather chickens are good layers! And as I discovered, when it came to Rasputin, I was right to be worried. Plus, they make wonderful mothers. Categorised in: Chickens, Livestock, Poultry, Winter. ), and is also a wonderful egg layer. This popular breed is one of our top picks for cold hardy chicken breeds! They are friendly and hardy, holding up well to more challenging conditions. There are many breeds that are cold hardy and easy to raise in colder climates. Regardless of which breed you choose, if you live in areas with potential cold conditions, you want to make sure you give your chickens a coop that offers sufficient protection from the elements, while also being well ventilated. Consider these breeds for winter-friendly fattiness: If you live in conditions where you also have warm summers to contend with, these breeds tend to have decent heat tolerance as long as they are given sufficient access to shade and lots of fresh, cool water. Popular Cold-Hardy Chicken Breeds • Black Australorp • Brahma • Buckeye • Cochin • Delaware • Dominique • Easter Egger • Jersey Giant • Naked Neck • New Hampshire Red • Orpington • Plymouth Rock • Rhode Island Red • Salmon Faverolles • Sex Link • Sussex • Welsummer • Wyandotte. They are a hardy and docile breed, love to be handled and good layers in any climate. Roosters can get between 8-10 lbs, which makes them a great size. Listed are breeds that don't mind a little snow in their pens. These birds are naturally adapted to survival in a cold climate and can forage extensively while still producing a respectable amount of eggs. Rhode Island Reds – These are one of the most well known and popular chicken breeds. Some breeds, such as the Turken Naked Neck, Polish, and Silkie chickens have loose feathering. Ameraucanas come in a variety of colors, including blue, buff, silver, brown, red, black, and white. Making your own simple and inexpensive homemade fertilizers can be…, How to Germinate Peach Pits (and Why You Should), Discover how to germinate peach pits and save money by…, Be prepared for your next infection or illness with this…, The 13 Best Chicken Breeds for Cold Climates, “Cold-Weather Chicken Care: 11 Quick Ideas to Improve Chicken Comfort”, “How to Prevent (and Treat) Frostbite in Chickens”, “How to Keep Chicken Water From Freezing”, learn more about the plight of my poor frostbitten chicken, Rasputin, here, methods for keeping water from freezing in the coop, “7 Ways to Keep Livestock Water Tanks from Freezing”, White Dorkings (Note: The Dorking breed may have either single or rose combs. You know that the vast majority of the world uses the logical Celsius scale and not Fahrenheit? Here are 15 types of cold hardy chickens: 1. This is why roosters, who often have more fat and more feathering, tend to have larger combs than hens. ©2005-2020 MY PET CHICKEN, LLC. These birds are also good foragers, which will cut down on feed costs in the warmer months! Australorp Chickens: The Best Dual Purpose Chicken And Egg Laying Machines . Another cold-hardy breed is the Canadian heritage chicken, the Chantecler. They’re one of the top egg laying breeds, and most people who own them prefer them over any other breed! This cold hardy and feed efficient breed is a very reliable brown egg layer at over 250 eggs per year. With their pea comb, very small wattles, and big bodies, these birds are perfect for cold climates. Below, we explore the 13 best chicken breeds for cold climates. Tasha. Buff Orpingtons. They are doing well in the Indiana winter. Coastal chicken keeping on Cape Cod requires cold hardy breeds. Thank goodness there’s such easy access to online Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion tables! Disappointed that you list Chanteclers as a single breed. Katie Kalpin, We live in SLC Utah. 11.) 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