Tag: color

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Best—and Worst—Chicken Breeds for Cold Climates

For Grand Rapids, MI, you’ll want cold-hardy breeds that can handle snowy winters and occasional hot summers. You’ll also want breeds that are predator-savvy since you’re in the woods. Here are some great options for your climate and setting:

Best Cold-Hardy, Predator-Savvy Chicken Breeds

Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock) 🖤⚪

  1. Hardy in cold & heat, lays 250+ brown eggs/year
  2. Smart, predator-aware, and friendly
  3. Dual-purpose (good for eggs & meat)

Australorp (Black Australorp)

    1. Super cold-hardy, lays 250-300 large brown eggs/year
    2. Calm, docile, and easy to handle
    3. Black feathers help absorb warmth in winter

    Wyandotte (Silver or Gold Laced) 🖤🟡⚪

      1. Very cold-hardy with a rose comb (less prone to frostbite)
      2. Lays 200-250 brown eggs/year
      3. Independent, predator-aware, and good foragers

      Orpington (Buff Orpington) 🟡

        1. Cold-hardy due to fluffy feathers, lays 200-280 brown eggs/year
        2. Very gentle and affectionate (great if you want friendly birds)
        3. A bit less predator-savvy, so they need a secure run

        Rhode Island Red ❤️

          1. Tough, predator-savvy, lays 250-300 brown eggs/year
          2. Hardy in all weather, strong forager
          3. Can be a little feisty but great for a mixed flock

          Dominique ⚫⚪

            1. Similar to Barred Rocks but with a rose comb (better for frostbite prevention)
            2. Great foragers, very predator-aware
            3. Lays 230-270 brown eggs/year

            Easter Egger 🥚 (Colorful Egg Layers!)

              1. Super hardy, lays 200-250 blue/green eggs per year
              2. Friendly and curious, good for beginners
              3. Predator-aware and good at hiding

              Breeds to Avoid for Your Area

              🚫 Leghorns – Great layers but have big combs that get frostbite easily.
              🚫 Silkies – Too small and fluffy; they don’t handle cold or predators well.
              🚫 Polish – Their head crests block vision, making them easy predator targets.

              Would you like a mix of breeds or are you leaning toward one type? If you want variety, a mix of Wyandottes, Barred Rocks, and Easter Eggers would give you a beautiful, diverse flock with great egg production!

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              Michigan Wetland Plants

              Western Michigan falls within USDA Hardiness Zones 5a to 6a, which means we have a moderately cool climate with cold winters.

              Here are some native wetland plants suitable for our region:

              Willow Species (Salix spp.)

              Various willow species are well-adapted to wetland conditions.
              They provide habitat, stabilize soil, and some have attractive weeping forms.


              Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)

              This perennial plant has attractive spikes of blue-purple flowers and thrives in wetland areas.

              Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)

              Known for its stunning blue-purple flowers, this iris species is well-suited for wet soils and adds a touch of elegance to wetland areas.

              Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

              A great choice for attracting butterflies, swamp milkweed produces clusters of pink to mauve flowers and thrives in moist conditions.

              Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

              With its striking red flowers, cardinal flower adds a vibrant splash
              of color to wetland areas and attracts hummingbirds.

              Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)

              This tall, native perennial has clusters of pink to purplish flowers and provides nectar for butterflies and other pollinators.

              Bluejoint Grass (Calamagrostis canadensis)

              A native grass that is well-suited for wetland conditions,
              providing habitat and stabilization for the soil.

              Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus)

              This aromatic plant is often found in wetlands and has grass-like foliage.
              It can tolerate a variety of wet soil conditions.

              Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

              Besides its attractive red stems, this shrub provides habitat and adds visual interest to wetland areas.

              Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

              A shrub with clusters of white flowers and later dark purple berries,
              elderberry is beneficial for wildlife and can tolerate wet soils.