chickens and farm animals in Northern ID. (Emmett: coop, live in)

[Mr_Dove]

I'm curious how well chickens tend to do in Northern ID. My family kept chickens when we lived in Emmett but that was SO long ago. I don't recall how they did in the winter. Do you need a special coop to keep them alive in the winter? How about predators that eat chickens?

What about pigs or a pair of cows? What kind of special accommodations need to be made to keep them in the colder climes?

[mistyriver]

We've raised sheep, goats, chickens, pigs and horses. We only had the pigs during summer till they went off to "freezer camp" though. All of these animals do well but they need a shelter so they can get out of the weather.

Our chicken coop is small and is nothing special but it's kept the chickens dry and happy into very sub zero temps. We lined the floor of the henhouse and coop with chicken wire so nothing could dig in but we left the door open accidentally once and a marauding raccoon ravaged the flock.
A light on a timer helps in winter also if you want your hens to keep laying.

We keep livestock guardian dogs (Great Pyrenees) to keep predators away and protect the stock. I wouldn't recommend them though if you have close neighbors...lots of barking at night. Otherwise, lock up your stock at night in a barn or behind good electric fencing and they'll probably do fine. Though big cats can easily jump fencing.