Well I don't know if you went ahead and got chickens but I'll try to answer a bit. I'm new to chicken owning too (been about exactly a year since we got our first 4 pullets) and I don't have a big yard, so in order to make sure they have unfrozen water, I either go outside and check both waters, or alternate their waters inside so they can melt a couple of times a day. There are heated waterers you can buy; I don't suggest anything not specifically for that purpose for risk of fire. We got speckled Sussex and while they aren't the most social breed, my kids love chasing them and they love being chased when they have their bag of treats. They are great layers, a thought they molted a long time and we still haven't had any eggs since Sept or Oct. We recently got a couple of blue Plymouth rocks after one of our hens was unfortunately taken, presumably by a fox. We have had these pullets since they were chicks and don't have an incubator so we ghetto'd it and gave them a plastic tub with a heat lamp. They were very exposed and socialized their entire time inside and got used to my children who are all preschool age or younger. They are more social then my hens (they are 3 months old now, the hens are a year old) and won't run away as quickly if I stick out my hand. Wherever you're buying chickens from, especially if it's from a local farm like what we did, they answer many of these questions including breed suggestions. We got the Sussex because we learned they are great layers and hardy in winter; we live in Connecticut on a smallish mountain. This is their first full winter outside and today was their first snow storm (hence why I'm googling and making sure I didn't forget anything for them) and so far they are doing wonderfully. Good luck! Owning chickens is a blast, they are funny with their curiosity and habits. They give us food and are low maintenance and can even become food (we plan on eating them when they pass away as many people do), what more could you ask for in a pet?
K I had to change my email since my gmail was blacklisted. I dont believe I've ever even visited this website before but such is the consequence of being gangstalked. Hope you're safe out there in Cali, especially with little ones.
Well I don't know if you went ahead and got chickens but I'll try to answer a bit. I'm new to chicken owning too (been about exactly a year since we got our first 4 pullets) and I don't have a big yard, so in order to make sure they have unfrozen water, I either go outside and check both waters, or alternate their waters inside so they can melt a couple of times a day. There are heated waterers you can buy; I don't suggest anything not specifically for that purpose for risk of fire. We got speckled Sussex and while they aren't the most social breed, my kids love chasing them and they love being chased when they have their bag of treats. They are great layers, a thought they molted a long time and we still haven't had any eggs since Sept or Oct. We recently got a couple of blue Plymouth rocks after one of our hens was unfortunately taken, presumably by a fox. We have had these pullets since they were chicks and don't have an incubator so we ghetto'd it and gave them a plastic tub with a heat lamp. They were very exposed and socialized their entire time inside and got used to my children who are all preschool age or younger. They are more social then my hens (they are 3 months old now, the hens are a year old) and won't run away as quickly if I stick out my hand. Wherever you're buying chickens from, especially if it's from a local farm like what we did, they answer many of these questions including breed suggestions. We got the Sussex because we learned they are great layers and hardy in winter; we live in Connecticut on a smallish mountain. This is their first full winter outside and today was their first snow storm (hence why I'm googling and making sure I didn't forget anything for them) and so far they are doing wonderfully. Good luck! Owning chickens is a blast, they are funny with their curiosity and habits. They give us food and are low maintenance and can even become food (we plan on eating them when they pass away as many people do), what more could you ask for in a pet?
K I had to change my email since my gmail was blacklisted. I dont believe I've ever even visited this website before but such is the consequence of being gangstalked. Hope you're safe out there in Cali, especially with little ones.