I'm about to give up on chickens

[Folly's place]

Wrap plastic around the windward sides of your run, so you have a better handle on drafts. More ventilation is necessary! In snow country, having a covered run matters, and your movable coop/ run design isn't predator proof.
Mary

 

[6BeachChicks]

I don’t have any advice, but I’m sorry for you loss. I lost my one of my girls too, it happens with any animal. Just make sure to get a friend for your other girl, she must be sad and lonely.

 

[JacksonChickies]

We've had sudden deaths out there, and I necropsy everything, and sometimes it's a broken neck, a bird misjudging and flying into a wall. Sometimes a heart issue, sometimes an abdominal infection of one sort or another. Birds are very motivated to act fine until they just can't, so it may actually not be such a sudden illness, just not obvious to you.
So sorry for your loss!
Two chickens is a hard number, because then you have one chicken, not good at all. Get more at once, and fix your coop issues too.
Mary

Oh, absolutely. Our intent was to have 3 this year as a learning process but haven't had much luck.

 

[bruceha2000]

You'll learn and it will get better/easier

adding some kind of awning to keep rain and snow out.

Yep. And if the birds on the roost are not below the level of the windows maybe some "baffling" to direct the wind higher.

 

[3KillerBs]

So do we, I just was worried about drafts and too cold. We live up above a lake and we get some NASTY frigid winds

If necessary, lower your roost.

Another option, depending on your level of handyman skill, could be to add a monitor or functional cupola to the roof.

My coop page for the Little Monitor Coop has photos of how to frame a monitor: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

This article shows how to add a monitor to a pre-built shed: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-first-attempt-at-a-coop-and-run.1454908/post-24453667

And this coop article shows a functional cupola: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/southern-farmhouse-coop.75688/

Cupolas and monitors are traditional means of getting weather-proof, draft-free ventilation in an area that's subject to heavy snow that might block a soffit and ridge venting system.

Cold itself isn't a problem. Chickens readily tolerate temperatures down to 0F (or even below), as long as they are dry and out of the wind -- and ventilation is the key to keeping them dry.

If they're dry and out of the wind they keep themselves warm with their built-in down parkas.

 

[bruceha2000]

Another option, depending on your level of handyman skill, could be to add a monitor or functional cupola to the roof.

Excellent idea. I just looked at your Monitor Coop article. Could be scaled to any size and provide great "above the birds" ventilation.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

7 degrees C is about 45F - if your birds are fully feathered, that temperature should not be an issue for them, assuming they are draft free (so their down jacket can perform as nature intended.

Agree on the ventilation issues, and agree with all the advice you've been offered for addressing those ventilation issues.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you. My husband is the one who found that concept when I told him what I needed for ventilation.

 

[PRchick]

7 degrees C is about 45F - if your birds are fully feathered, that temperature should not be an issue for them, assuming they are draft free (so their down jacket can perform as nature intended.

Agree on the ventilation issues, and agree with all the advice you've been offered for addressing those ventilation issues.

The OP said -7°C which is 19F.

 

[JacksonChickies]

You'll learn and it will get better/easier


Yep. And if the birds on the roost are not below the level of the windows maybe some "baffling" to direct the wind higher.

When roosting they can look out the window, and they definitely roost off to one side