3-Sided vs. 4-Sided Coops

[peep-a-boo]

DH started making the foundation of our 4x8 coop/run. The entire structure will be covered. It'll be in an area with some protection from the elements. The weather is hot and humid for a good portion of the year; the winters can be cold - getting down to the teens sometimes (in the last 3 years it snowed a couple of times and once we had ice). The rain can be torrential, though. Just wondering if anyone can share their experience with having a 3-sided coop. I'm hoping I can make up my mind by the time DH is ready to build.

 

[emrys]

Sounds like you have more hot weahter than cold weather. Hotter and of longer duration, right? If you make a 3 sided coop you'll be good for the hot times. In the cold/wet times you can use a tarp or plastic sheets to close part of the 4th side as needed. Get fancy and make an awning to divert rain from the wire side. I assume your 4th side with be secured with hardware cloth to make the coop safe as well as airy..

 

[TXchickmum]

We live in Texas, and we have two-sided coops. (framed hardware cloth on two sides and wood on two sides) During rain - even blowing rain, the roosts and nest boxes remain dry. For the winter, we will cover one of the open sides. Since there is a predominantly warm/hot climate, we decided to plan for that. (and, in an extreme scenario with snow and ice, we have contingency plans in place involving the garage) You should be fine with a three-sided coop.

 

[7L Farm]

I would build a three sided coop. The heat is the big problem in TEXAS not the cold. Face the coop to let the prevailing winds blow into the coop & block off the harsh north & west winds. Advantages for three sided coop are you won't need a pop door your chickens can wake up & be out in the run while you sleep in. I would build the coop under trees if you can. The heat is very hard on the birds not the cold. You just want to block the cold wind from blowing on the birds.Here's my latest three sided coop. I have a roost in the coop & a roost in the run. They sleep on the roost in the coop & wake up & go to the roost in the run every morning. My vote is three sided.