7 Best Cold Weather Chicken Breeds

Live in a cold climate? These 7 best cold weather chicken breeds will thrive in below freezing temperatures!

The super cold hardy chicken breeds listed on this page are the top cold hardy breeds from our more extensive Cold Hardy Chickens list. While the larger list contains breeds generally known to tolerate cold weather, this list of super cold hardy chickens are known to handle below freezing temperatures with ease.

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What are the Best Cold Weather Chicken Breeds?

1: Chantecler

2: Ameraucana

3: Easter Egger

4: Wyandotte

5: Buckeye

6: Dominique

7: Brahma

 

 

The breeds on this page are not only generally known for being cold hardy, they also meet the following criteria: heavy body type, heavy feathering and small pea, cushion or rose combs less vulnerable to frostbite.

As a bonus, cold weather chicken breeds are among the most friendly chickens for the backyard flock. Most of these breeds make good pets and also do great with kids!

 

#1 Chantecler

 

Bred in Canada by the monks of Cistercian Abbey, the Chantecler is the ultimate cold weather chicken breed! This heritage breed has been around for over 100 years.

Chanteclers have a cushion comb. Males average 8 1/2 lbs., while females average 6 1/2 lbs. and lay brown eggs. The chickens are most often white in color, but also come in Buff and Partridge.

This dual purpose breed is good for laying and also makes good meat.

Their friendly temperament makes them a great choice for the backyard flock.

 

#2 Ameraucana

 

Well known for its unique blue eggs, the Ameraucana is also extremely cold hardy.

Ameraucanas have small pea combs and come in 8 recognized colors: black, blue, wheaten, blue wheaten, red-brown, buff, white and silver.

Feed stores often sell Ameraucanas that aren’t purebred and come in mixed colors. While not suitable for show, these “Easter Eggers” do make some of the best cold hardy layers so they are next on this list!

The Ameraucana is a gentle, friendly breed originating in South America. Males average 6lbs and females 5lbs. There is also a bantam variety.

The Ameraucana is my personal favorite of the cold weather chicken breeds and ours thrive here in Montana.

 

#3 Easter Egger

 

While some breeders mix all kinds of chickens together and call the results “Easter Eggers,” I’m talking about the mixed color Ameraucanas sold by feed stores. These non-purebred Ameraucanas still have Ameraucana characteristics such as a pea comb, ear muffs and beard, and blue or turquoise eggs.

They have the same cold hardy characteristics of the pure Ameraucana, but their more diverse genetics make them even more hardy. They are one of the best cold weather chicken breeds!

You can read more here about the different between a true Ameraucana and an Easter Egger.

Easter Eggers are similar in size and temperament to a purebred Ameraucana. They are one of our favorite dual-purpose chickens!

 

#4 Wyandotte

 

Heavy feathering and a small rose comb make dual-purpose Wyandottes an excellent choice for cold climates.

An added bonus is their calm and gentle temperament.

Males average 8 1/2 lbs, while females average 6 1/2 lbs. Females are good layers of dark brown eggs.

Wyandottes come in many different colors, including silver laced, gold laced, blue laced red, buff, white, Colombian, silver penciled and partridge.

The hen pictured is a silver laced Wyandotte known as “Cookie.” She is one of our best cold weather chicken breeds, always out in the snow when the other chickens won’t set foot out of the coop.

 

#5 Buckeye

 

Bred in Ohio in the 1800’s, these large dual-purpose birds are still fairly uncommon.

They are average layers of medium sized brown eggs. Not only are they one of the best cold weather chicken breeds, they are also one of the best purebred meat breeds.

Buckeyes are red in color with pea combs.

They are friendly but active, making great foragers.

 

#6 Dominique

 

Probably America’s first chicken breed, the Dominique was bred in New England. It shares some of its history, and its coloring, with the Barred Rock, but has a rose comb rather than a single comb.

Male Dominiques are 7 lbs and females are 5 lbs.

The breed lays medium-sized brown eggs.

Dominiques vary somewhat in temperament, but are mostly calm and frequently go broody.

 

#7 Brahma

 

The Brahma is last on the list because, while it does well in cold and dry climates, it isn’t as hardy in cold and wet climates because of its feathered feet. If you live in a dry climate like we do, they are one of the best cold weather chicken breeds.

Brahmas are a favorite for many backyard chicken owners because of their friendly temperament. They are also great setters and mothers.

Male Brahmas are a whopping 12 1/2 lbs., while females average 9 1/2 lbs. There is also a bantam variety.

Brahmas come in many colors, including Colombian, dark, light, blue buff, partridge, black, blue partridge, buff laced, silver laced, red, barred, gold laced and blue laced red.

 

You can purchase chicks for these cold weather chicken breeds from McMurray Hatchery. We’ve been using McMurray for ten years and have always been happy with both the chicks and they customer service!

 

Ready to get started with backyard chickens? Check out our article, Backyard Chickens for Beginners, and our printable list, What Do You Need to Get Started with Backyard Chickens?

Still not sure which breed is for you? Check out our Chicken Breeder Finder here!