10F in Central North Carolina in an Open Air Coop

[3KillerBs]

When I took the water out just before dawn I had a good look at everyone.

They're fine. I inspected Rameses' comb carefully and there is no sign of frostbite. He wouldn't pose for a picture though.

Victoria had the sense to get down off the rafters away from the upper vent and sleep with the juveniles, but Maria Theresa stayed up there and is, nonetheless, perfectly fine. She did move a little further from the vent, at least (the two SLWs normally sleep at the base of the rafter right against the vent).

I double-checked yesterday in the high wind and the roosting area is still quite draft-free in the current setup -- which I'd actually prepared because of Hurricane Ian.

 

[Sally PB]

Wind is wind. You did a great job on that coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

Wind is wind. You did a great job on that coop.

Thanks.

There are a couple things I would change if I were duplicating it -- such as having a door on the uphill side to throw bedding in as well as the downhill and side doors -- but thanks to all the good design advice here it's worked out very well.

I realized when I was drawing ventilation diagrams that it's sort of an inside-out Woods Coop but with more wire and less wall.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm off work and waiting at church during worship rehearsal. DH changed out the waterer before he left home so they *should* have liquid water most of the afternoon at least.

He says that they got out -- which isn't surprising because the current batch of chicks are amazing escape artists -- and are free-ranging so I'm sure they'll find nice places to hang out in the sun and that they'll go to roost when it gets dark (I won't be home until long after dark tonight).

 

[3KillerBs]

I *might* have seen a little purple or greyish tint on a few of Rameses' comb points. I'm not messing with them and will see if it's anything serious or not as time passes.

 

[3KillerBs]

It's 15F this morning but by Thursday we should be back to normal temperatures.

I managed to get the waterer in this morning without letting the chickens out.

 

[3KillerBs]

I don't know if these dark spots on Rameses's comb are frostbite or not.