15 Chicken Breeds That Survive Cold Weather

You may be worried about raising chickens if you live in an area where winters are very cold. What if they freeze to death? What if the chickens get frostbite or die from freezing? These are all very real risks, but some breeds can withstand the cold without suffering these effects.

There are many options for those who live in cold climates and want to raise chickens. We have gathered 15 breeds that are best suited for cold climates. You can read more about them and choose the one you think is best for your flock. We will even discuss factors that influence the ability of the breeds to withstand the cold.

What makes some breeds cold-resistant?

The breeds listed here are not resistant to cold by accident. Many of these breeds were developed specifically for this purpose. You can still raise chickens if you live in a climate that is cold. You’ll discover that all of these breeds have some traits in common that make them so cold-resistant.

Combs

Do you know the red or orange flesh which protrudes out of a chicken’s comb? This is called the comb. Each breed has a unique comb size, shape, and style. Some combs perform better in colder weather than others. Small combs are the best. The risk of frostbite is greater for large combs, but the chickens with smaller combs will be less at risk.

Feathers

What should you do when you want to go out in the cold weather? We will usually wear extra layers such as a coat in the winter. Chickens are no different, except they can’t just decide to add more layers. Feathers are a natural way for some breeds to protect themselves from the cold. The heavier the feathering of a chicken, the more resistant it is too cold.

Size

The saying “the strong will survive” is true, especially in cold weather. The larger chickens are more resistant to cold weather than the smaller ones. The extra meat provides them with more protection against the cold. Small chickens have less body fat and muscle. Both of these can protect the chicken from cold temperatures.

The 15 best chicken breeds for cold climates

We now know some of the characteristics that make certain breeds more suited to colder climates. Let’s examine the breeds that thrive in cold weather.

1. Ameraucana Chicken

The ability of Ameraucana chickens to resist cold is not the only thing that makes them cool. These dual-purpose birds lay blue eggs! They are also unusually resistant to cold temperatures. Their pea combs are small and unlikely to be frostbitten.

2. Australorp Chicken

Australorp chickens are Australian in origin, as you can guess by their name. The Australorp chickens are known for having the world record for most eggs laid within a year. Australorps laid just over one egg a day in a single year. The roosters can weigh up to 10 pounds and they also mature slowly. They do well in cold climates, just like the other birds listed here.

3. Brahmas Chickens

Brahmas chickens, which are large and versatile, are ideal for cold climates. These birds are so hardy that they can be kept anywhere. Brahmas chickens have thickly feathered bodies and also have feathers covering their feet to keep them warm in cold weather. These chickens are great for meat and eggs, and they come in a variety of colors.

4. Buckeye Chickens

The Buckeye breed is unique in many ways. Buckeyes were the first breed in the world to be created by a female. Buckeyes are known as one of the most versatile breeds. They have cushion combs which are ideal for cold weather.

5. Buff Orpington Chicken

Buff Orpingtons have many reasons for being popular among backyard flocks and homesteaders. One of the reasons they are so popular is that their tiny combs, which have a single row, make them resistant to frostbite. The birds are also excellent egg layers, and they produce meat that is just as tasty as their eggs.

6. Chantecler

Chantelle dislikes cold weather for a variety of reasons. Breeders trace their origins to Canada, a place not known for hot summers. The birds are protected from the cold by their small pea combs and wattles. Chandeliers are also more spirited than other breeds.

7. Cochin

You won’t doubt their ability to survive cold temperatures when you see the heavily feathered Cochin chickens. The Cochin chickens are a beautiful breed and come in many colors. The frizzled or non-frizzled varieties have small combs and feathered feet. If you’re looking for a bird that can withstand the cold, choose the Cochins with non-frizzled feathers.

8. Dominique

Dominique chickens, first brought to America by Pilgrims in colonial times, are the oldest American chicken breed. The same bird is also known as Pilgrim fowl, Dominickers, or Dominickers. These chickens are docile and friendly. They are raised in the coldest places on earth, such as Alaska and Canada.

9. Faverolles

The majority of people who keep chickens do so to produce meat or eggs. Faverolles Chickens were originally created in France to be used as meat, but Americans have decided that they are better kept as pets. They are now common in the US. The chickens have feathered feet and cheek muffs as well as a dense feathered coat to keep them warm even in the coldest temperatures.

10. New Hampshire Red

New Hampshire Reds are similar to Rhode Island Reds. The New Hampshire Reds were bred to produce superior meat. The Rhode Island Reds are larger and grow faster. This makes them more resistant to cold than the Rhode Island Reds.

11. Plymouth Rock

The birds were developed in New England in the late 1800s. These are some of the most versatile chickens available, and that’s why they remain popular. The roosters can reach a weight of 8 pounds. They mature quickly. Hens produce more than 250 eggs per year and thrive when fed free-range.

12. Rhode Island Red

This breed is able to withstand the freezing winters in the Northeast United States, where it was created. These chickens are curious and docile, but they can also be aggressive toward other birds. The chickens can lay up to 280 eggs per year, and they also produce delicious meat.

13. Speckled Sussex

Many chicken breeders have noticed that their production slows down, or stops altogether in the winter. This is true even for cold-resistant varieties. Speckled Sussex chickens, however, will lay year-round. The birds are excellent for both meat and eggs, but their ability to withstand the cold is what makes them so popular.

14. Welsummer

Welsummer chickens, which originate from the Netherlands are extremely resilient to cold temperatures. The roosters weigh an average of seven pounds. Although they mature more slowly than other breeds of chicken, they are also among the most beautiful.

15. Wyandotte

The Wyandottes breed is known for its calm and docile temperament, as well as its versatility in dual-purpose usage. The first dual-purpose chicken breed to be created in America. Hens are known to continue laying throughout the colder months. They are also some of the hardiest chickens.

You can read more about it here:

There’s a chicken breed that will suit your climate no matter where you are. All 15 of the chickens in this list can withstand cold temperatures without any problems. Many of these breeds are able to withstand temperatures below zero without any problems. Your cold climate will no longer be an excuse to not raise your own backyard flock. Choose one of these breeds and enjoy delicious meat and eggs grown in your backyard.