Open Air Poultry House aka Woods Coop in Minneapolis

you were colder than we were last night. How'd you do? only -12 down here.

Hi,
I can't wait to start our Woods coop next year! I have literally rehomed all the Light Sussex and sold all three of my old coops in prep for it. The large ol White Chanteclers are gong to b so happy in their new coop when they arrive next August!
Woot!
Karen

Modern fresh-air poultry houses; a new book on common sense housing of poultry--plans,
dimensions and instructions for building open-front poultry houses and fresh-air equipment
--fresh-air methods and open-air living--most practical and desirable for successful
poultry keeping in all climates; fully illustrated with reproductions from original drawings
and photographs, by Prince T. Woods, M. D.
by Woods, Prince Tannat, 1870-
Published 1924
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924003138272;view=1up;seq=7
----------------------------
Pages 177 and 178.
Why Open-Front Is Better
Summarizing the evidence already presented herewith are a dozen
reasons why the open-front poultry house is better than the closed
type. The semi-monitor type of open-front poultry house possesses
these advantages:
1. It supplies an abundance of fresh-air at all times, day and
night, particularly at night when much needed.
2. Plenty of sunshine and light penetrate practically all parts of
. the house.
3. High windows in monitor admit sunlight to rear of house.
4. It is a dry house, having free circulation of air at all times.
5. There is more room for the fowls.
6. The floor space is less obstructed.
7. It is more comfortable than a closed house.
8. An open-front is more humane than the closed building.
9. Fowls prefer the open-front house.
10. Easy to care for and keep clean. Practically "fool proof."
11. Not expensive to build.
12. Simple in construction, a novice can build one.
Beneficial Results of Fresh-Air
The benefits which the poultry and their owner derive from open-
front housing and fresh-air methods of caring for poultry of all ages
are many. These beneficial results of fresh-air living may be summed
up as follows:
1. Both chicks and fowls enjoy better health.
2. They are more vigorous and hardy.
3. They possess greater vitality.
4. They have greater power to resist disease.
5. The pullets and hens produce more eggs.
6. Eggs show a higher percentage fertility.
/. The eggs hatch better.
8. Better, strong, hardy, livable chicks.
9. Birds of all ages are less affected by weather changes.
10. There is less danger of frosted combs and wattles.
11. The birds have better and more lustrous plumage with finer
texture and better color.
12. Fresh-air flocks do not consume any more food than closed-
house flocks and they make better use of their food.

After more few years with this coop, how do you like it? We live in Mendota Heights and we’re strongly considering this coop.

on year 10 with ours.
Just spent a day with 40 mph winds gusting to 65mph
and a winter with normal temps to -20F HEAVY wet snow
and windchills of -40F
Still no problems
@genxjanette

WthrLady said:

on year 10 with ours.
Just spent a day with 40 mph winds gusting to 65mph
and a winter with normal temps to -20F HEAVY wet snow
and windchills of -40F
Still no problems
@genxjanette

Click to expand...

This is great. I decided to go with the open air Woods coop, and then started to second guess my decision. I have cold hardy breeds ordered. Australorp, Barred Rock and Speckled Sussex, so your shared experience is much appreciated!

Most welcome. My coop is in my siggy below.
Chickens can handle the cold NO problem as long as they are out of the wind. We've had large combs freeze, and one girl who refused to sleep inside at night lost a couple toes over the years, but she's 8 and still going strong as the old matriarch of the coop.
(the 9 year old mom to her gets to sleep in the heated shop)