• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
An Off Grid Life
  • Off Grid Living
  • Self-Reliance
  • Homesteading
  • Food
  • Homeschooling
  • SHOP
    • Facebook
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Off Grid Living
  • Self-Reliance
  • Homesteading
  • Food
  • Homeschooling
  • SHOP
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Off Grid Living
    • Self-Reliance
    • Homesteading
    • Food
    • Homeschooling
    • SHOP
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Homestead Animals

    5 Best Chicken Breeds for Backyard Coop

    Published: Jun 9, 2021 · Modified: Jul 6, 2021 by Sarita Harbour · This post may contain affiliate links and Amazon links

    Share!
    TwitterFacebookEmailFlipboard92Pinterest
    92
    SHARES

    Over the past year, more and more people have reached out to ask us about our chickens. One question we get repeatedly is "what are the best chicken breeds for backyard coop chickens?"

    Chickens really don't need much. Water, a coop, a yard, and chicken feed. (See our homemade chicken feed recipe post for ideas.)

    However, the best chicken breeds for backyard coop chickens depends on several things. And some breeds of backyard chickens are easier to look after than others. Each type has its own needs and temperament.

    Last year, we got serious about prepping for the long-term and securing our family food supply. Since we live very far north, (above the 60th parallel), we needed to get cold-hardy chicken breeds for our off grid homestead.

    Here are the top five best chicken breeds for backyard coop chickens in extreme cold climates.

    5 Best Chicken Breeds for Backyard Coop Setups in the North

    Best Chicken Breeds for Backyard Coop SuccessPin

    Rhode Island Red

    Beginner homesteaders often find the classic chicken, the Rhode Island Red, an easy chicken to raise.

    They tolerate heat and cold climates very well. In addition, as a dual-purpose backyard chicken breed, they provide tasty meat and a good supply of eggs. For those looking for egg layers only, the road island red will lay upwards of 250 eggs per year. 

    Western Rustic

    Similar in appearance to a Rhode Island Red, this meat laying cold hardy chicken breed has been one of our favourites. In fact, we ordered 20 day-old Western Rustic chicks from a hatchery down in Edmonton, Alberta last year. Every one of those chicks survived the trip and grew into large, healthy birds.

    Although sold as a meat chicken, our Western Rustics lay great eggs. And they survived our extremely cold winter temperatures (down to -50 C this winter.)

    White Lohmann

    A smaller backyard chicken breed, White Lohmanns produce lovely white eggs. We acquired six full-grown White Lohmanns at the end of last summer. It's tough to keep chickens alive through the winters here in the Northwest Territories. And they often stop laying due to the cold and long dark days.

    Of the six White Lohmanns, we lost just one over the winter. And with our heat lamp set up, the girls kept producing eggs all winter long.

    Leghorn

    Backyard chicken farmers who simply want eggs should look to the Leghorn breed.

    Not only do they produce over 300 eggs on average annually, they produce extra large eggs as well.

    This hardy breed tolerates both heat and cold very well. Leghorn chickens will indeed put up with confinement to a coop but they do ultimately prefer to range free. If allowed to do so, they will often forage their own food, making them easy to care for. 

    With that said, leghorn chickens have a reputation for flightiness and nervousness. They can also make a lot of noise. If you live in a city or suburb, your neighbours might not appreciate this.

    Barred Plymouth Rock

    Our second batch of chicks last spring included 10 day-old Barred Plymouth Rocks. And this was a great option.

    One of the best chicken breeds for backyard coop poultry in the north, this breeds has a beautiful black and white barred colouring.

    Barred Plymouth Rock chickens suit the cold well, and enjoy a reputation as a watchdog breed for chickens. This means they will help take care of the rest of your flock. And they will alert you to predators. In our area this includes bear, wolves, coyotes, pine Martens, lynx, and eagles.

    Barred Rocks also make great pets. Their temperament works well with children and other pets including a mixed breed flock. Barred Plymouth Rock breeds also suit city or suburban environments as they don't make much noise. They do, however, prefer to free range but will tolerate being confined if needed. 

    Egg wise, your Barred Plymouth Rock chickens will lay four to five large brown eggs each weekly. That means each chicken could lay approximately 280 per year. This makes them another strong dual purpose chicken breed for backyard coops in the north. In fact, our biggest Barred Rock Chickens weighed in at close to seven pounds.

    For more information on types of chicken breeds suitable in North America, visit the Library of Congress site.

    Fun fact: Did you know that store-bought chicken often includes Barred Plymouth Rock chicken bred with Cornish Chickens? It's true!

    Raising Chickens to Secure Your Food Supply 

    Getting (and keeping) backyard chickens has become a goal for more people than ever before. We got our chickens to help secure our food supply as part of our off grid homestead. After all, backyard chicken breeds offer a steady source of protein through fresh eggs and fresh meat.

    Although we have the space that allowed us to build a DIY chicken coop, raising chickens can also work well in an urban or suburban backyard.

    The best chicken breed for your backyard coop depends on your chicken goals, available space, and climate.

    What to Know Before Choosing the Best Chicken Breeds for Backyard Coop Success

    Before arranging for mail order chicks or buying older laying hens, consider these points.

    Climate 

    Not all chicken breeds suit all climates. Take note of your average high and low temperatures. Also, consider statistics such as average rainfall and snowfall.

    Some backyard chicken breeds just don't tolerate certain weather conditions. Research this now to save headaches later.

    Meat Chicken Breeds vs. Laying Hens

    When we chose our chicken breeds, we wanted a mix of meat chickens and laying hens. Since our meals include anywhere from five to eight people, we go through a lot of food. Especially eggs. And it is expensive to buy meat and produce this far north due to shipping costs.

    So ask yourself these questions when choosing the best chicken breeds for your backyard coop.

    1. Are you getting backyard chickens so you always have a fresh supply of eggs?
    2. Do you want a fresh meat source?
    3. Do you need a breed of chicken that serves both purposes?

    How Big is Your Backyard?

    While the amount of space doesn't necessarily impact your choice of backyard chicken breed, it does affect the number of chickens you can successfully keep.

    An overcrowded chicken coop and run can lead to health issues, and your chickens bickering or even killing each other.

    Do you have enough space for a good sized run? Most chicken breeds prefer free ranging. However, if you don't have room for a chicken tractor  or chicken run, choose a breed that tolerates being confined.

    You might also like...

    • Free Chicken Printables for Kids
    • 10 Best DIY Chicken Coops
    • Backyard Gardening Basics: What You Should Know
    • 5 Best Rabbit Breeds to Raise For Meat
    • Raising Rabbits for Meat#1: How to Raise Rabbits For Meat
    7 DIY Chicken Coop Mistakes We MadePin
    DIY Chicken Coop Mistakes
    Pin
    The 5 Best Homestead Meats to Produce
    How to Butcher a chicken at homePin
    How to Butcher a Chicken at Home

    Like this post? Save it for later!

    Best Chicken Breeds for Backyard Coop SuccessPin

    This post is part of the Homestead Blog Hop 345

    Share!
    TwitterFacebookEmailFlipboard92Pinterest
    92
    SHARES
    « Homestead Blog Hop 344
    Foraging Rosehips for Oil, Tea, Syrup, and Jelly »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Dan Hosfeld and Sarita Harbour of An Off Grid Life

    Hi, I'm Sarita! My family and I started living off the grid nine years ago. And if I did it, you can too!

    Learn more here →

    Popular

    • Sourdough Discard Biscuits on Plate
      Old-Fashioned Easy Sourdough Discard Biscuits Recipe
    • Gardeners Soap wrapped in twine.
      Easy Natural DIY Gardeners Soap Recipe
    • Sourdough Discard Crackers in jar.
      Sourdough Discard Crackers
    • Beeswax wrap covering bowl
      How to Use Beeswax Wraps

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Privacy Policy

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Terms & Conditions

      Newsletter

    • Sign Up Here

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Harbour Content Development Inc.