How many chickens do you have to have in order to have a real flock?
Chickens are extremely flock-oriented, so a good starter flock size is no fewer than three chickens. You should collect about a dozen eggs from three laying hens. A flock of five or six hens is a good choice for slightly larger families.
What are two reasons for having a small flock of poultry?
As the Gidneys have learned, keeping a small flock of chickens in your backyard has many benefits, from supplying you with fresh, healthy eggs from well-cared-for animals, to giving you great fertilizer for gardening, to providing lively pets—as well as being part of the drive to local, sustainable food systems.
Can chickens survive winter in Alaska?
Chickens do great over the winter, so long as you make sure their coop doesn’t expose them to cold drafts. Chickens are like little space heaters. As long as their home doesn’t have too much windy air flow or drafts, their body heat alone can quickly increase the coop temperature at night just by snuggling up.
Can chickens live outside in Alaska?
Many of the most popular chicken breeds do well in Alaska and in northern climates. A general rule of thumb is that large, robust birds with thick feathers do best. Also, the small-combed breeds are a better choice, as large wattled and combed birds are susceptible to frost bite.
How do you insulate a chicken coop?
Insulate the coop. I have placed styrofoam insulation between the studs of the ceiling of my coop to help hold heat in at the top. Straw also acts as a great insulator, and using it on the floors will insulate the coop from the cold ground.
What chickens do well in Alaska?
Barred Rock: Alternate or short-hand name for the Plymouth Rock. The Barred Rock was the first commercial meat production bird. It is a good dual purpose bird, and does not mind confinement, making it a good choice for Alaskan flocks. Barred rock hens are excellent egg producers, but they are seldom broody.
