Coop Ideas?

[MadisonOde]

Hey all,
I’m looking into building a coop for someone in town here, and found this one in a book. However I’m worried about the height. It’s nice for town, but as you can see in the photo, it’s only about 2-4 feet high, (I think?). The roosting bars aren’t that far off the ground, but I’m worried about the heat lamps. We use one in our coop bc it can get to -50° with wind chill here on some winter days, although our coop is a lot bigger. There would only be 2 chickens in it though. Would they be fine? Or any suggestions?

 

[sumi]

I'd build a coop with a bit more headroom, personally. As for heat lamps... A well built, insulated coop should provide enough shelter for chickens, even in very cold weather. Have you looked at the coop pages here for designs and ideas?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/small-coops.18/

 

[jthornton]

Build it big enough for people to walk in and clean and maintain with draft free ventilation for the winter.

JT

 

[JDN]

I wouldn't use a heat lamp. You're in Wisconsin, not the Arctic. People use open fronted coops in Canada and Alaska.

For 2 chickens that coop is fine and will be easy enough to clean out.

 

[wamtazlady]

Wind chill factor only counts if there that wind is blowing through the coop. A well made coop should have plenty of ventilation but no drafts and is not subject to wind chill factors. The coop should be tall enough so that when the chickens roost the upper ventilation is well above their heads so that no breeze is blowing on the birds.

I live in northern Montana. Have never had the need to have a heat lamp yet. Birds are very happy when the temperatures are in the -20s F. I worry about the birds more in summer as the summer heat is difficult for them to deal with as they are always wearing that down coat.

 

[123RedBeard]

Wind chill factor only counts if there that wind is blowing through the coop

And ... on exposed flesh ... lots/most chickens tuck their head under their wing when it's real cold ...

 

[pennyJo1960]

Build it big enough for 4 birds please