Coop in a wind tunnel...prevailing wind help...

[KettermanHillCoop]

A baffle is simply something that slows down/changes the direction of a fluid or gas or in your case, wind. Hopefully this link works and you'll get some ideas of how to construct one. Louvered vents may work, too, and can easily be installed in a wall.

https://www.google.com/search?q=baf...t8KHb6ABS8Q_AUICigB&biw=1215&bih=540&dpr=1.13

https://www.google.com/search?q=lou...OAKHfofDCoQ_AUICygC&biw=1215&bih=540&dpr=1.13

Oh, I understand now! Thanks!!! Sorry, I'm a visual learner...

 

[imnukensc]

No problem. I totally understand! When my buddy, who is a very good carpenter, was helping me build my coop he would try to explain something he/we were going to do, but until we actually did it I didn't have clue what he was talking about and then I was like, "Well, DUH!"

 

[TalkALittle]

If you have cold winter winds you will want to locate the coop in a sheltered area. Look for natural windbreaks--trees, berms/embankments. If you don't have any on the property consider planting some quick growing evergreens as a long-term improvement plan. Some spruce grow 3-4 feet/year and adding fencing between the trees can provide a wind break until the trees reach a more mature size. Arborvitae make a quick growing hedge. Because the wind will blow up and over, if you are relying on a fence, immature trees or a hedge to serve as a windbreak, the coop will need to be positioned rather close to it in order to reap any wind breaking benefits. Consider the winter sun exposure and take care that you are not placing your coop in the shade of your wind break otherwise you'll lose out on the warming effect of the sun in winter.

With regard to coop construction, baffles on vents and louvers shutters on windows will allow air flow but minimize the wind blowing in. Use a solid material for the walls of your coop rather than just milled lumber. Lumber shrinks and leaves gaps between boards that will allow wind to rush in. If you prefer the look of a milled lumber exterior, clapboards and board & batten construction are building techniques that minimize gaps between boards.

If you have strong windstorms pay close attention to your roof. Birds mouth cuts on rafters and hurricane ties will prevent the roof from blowing off in a storm. PVC roof panels can lift and crack in a stiff wind and are more easily damaged by blown or fallen debris than metal roof panels. If you use metal roofing panels don't skimp on the screws. Use the ones the manufacturer recommends and use plenty of them.

A lot of people wrap their runs in plastic or clear tarps in winter to keep out the wind. Plan ahead and construct the run with upright supports close enough to each other to allow you to secure the sheeting well, so it doesn't flap around in the wind.

 

[aart]

Those are interesting charts,
note that they show 40+ years of data starting in 1972,
what site did you get them from?

Gives pretty clear indication of where your prevailing winds come from(N-NW),
and shows the N'oreasters that happen. Interesting that those are much more apparent on one 'rose'. IIRC you're in the eastern part of PA, just northeast of Philly, correct?

Not sure I'd call it a wind tunnel, tho your closer surrounding topography may create one. When I started studying Permaculture a few decades ago, I started to learn about microclimates. You might want to look to that arena to learn more about how the winds might affect your immediate site and how to ameliorate the wind impact.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Those are interesting charts,
note that they show 40+ years of data starting in 1972,
what site did you get them from?

Gives pretty clear indication of where your prevailing winds come from(N-NW),
and shows the N'oreasters that happen. Interesting that those are much more apparent on one 'rose'. IIRC you're in the eastern part of PA, just northeast of Philly, correct?

Not sure I'd call it a wind tunnel, tho your closer surrounding topography may create one. When I started studying Permaculture a few decades ago, I started to learn about microclimates. You might want to look to that arena to learn more about how the winds might affect your immediate site and how to ameliorate the wind impact.

I found the info on my area's wind rose from Iowa State University here: http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/sites/locate.php?network=IA_ASOS

The top of my hill just gets slammed constantly from wind. The Appalachian Mountains are just 8 miles north of me...then flat land then our hill...those mountains cause their own funky weather patterns. Lol

I'm really liking the Coop in the Woods concept with a storage shed incorporated into the design. I was thinking of putting the shed portion facing west...to help with wind blockage. Thoughts?

Oh...and I am here...

 

[lcwmt]

We have wind. It is generally from the North or the West but can gust in from the South as well. When we were building the new coop, this happened just as we were putting the roof on. Yup, a South gust, clocked at only 28 mph.

We used t posts and ratchet straps to hold the coop in place once it was upright again.
The people size door and poly carb panel face South. Pop door and another poly carb panel face East. The attached run leads to the East. It's a hoop structure with shade cloth for Summer and clear tarp for the snow months. The floor of the run stays pretty snow free. Venting runs along the top of both North and South walls. The roof is pitched metal over plywood. Lots of metal screws!!!
Trees and shrubs are planted but not an immediate fix for wind breaks. Wood panel fence would blow down on the first windy day.
Good luck! I love the idea of a shed for both wind break and storage. here it would go to the North of the coop.

 

[aart]

Thanks for the link and yes, that's the location map I remember seeing, I remember your location because it was a map.

The top of my hill just gets slammed constantly from wind. The Appalachian Mountains are just 8 miles north of me...then flat land then our hill...those mountains cause their own funky weather patterns. Lol

I'm really liking the Coop in the Woods concept with a storage shed incorporated into the design. I was thinking of putting the shed portion facing west...to help with wind blockage. Thoughts?

That's topography that creates your micro-climate...plus the hill. Brutal, I hate the wind...unless it's on a scorching summer day.

You mean the Woods Coop?
Adding storage area the west side could work.
BUT keep in mind you must keep the width of the front opening proportional to the depth of the coop or the Woods air cushion concept won't work. That proportion and keeping all windows, but the front opening, closed tight in winter is what makes it work.
You'd probably want the storage area walled off from main coop area so it wouldn't interfere with the air cushion(not sure it would) and it would keep 'chicken dust' from coating everything in the storage area.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

We have wind. It is generally from the North or the West but can gust in from the South as well. When we were building the new coop, this happened just as we were putting the roof on. Yup, a South gust, clocked at only 28 mph.
View attachment 1192686
We used t posts and ratchet straps to hold the coop in place once it was upright again.
The people size door and poly carb panel face South. Pop door and another poly carb panel face East. The attached run leads to the East. It's a hoop structure with shade cloth for Summer and clear tarp for the snow months. The floor of the run stays pretty snow free. Venting runs along the top of both North and South walls. The roof is pitched metal over plywood. Lots of metal screws!!!
Trees and shrubs are planted but not an immediate fix for wind breaks. Wood panel fence would blow down on the first windy day.
Good luck! I love the idea of a shed for both wind break and storage. here it would go to the North of the coop.

Omgosh! Hope no one was hurt or much damage!

You have similar wind situations...those gusts suprise the heck out of you! I'm securing my current run with 20" rebar hooks.

Right now I have the pop door and run on the east side of the current coop. The run I have now is staying as part of the new design. May expand that as I acquired another 10' x10' x 6' dog kennel for $50...

I love the shed concept of the Coop in the Woods design.

 

[aart]

What a cool site!!
I'm a bit of a weather geek, definitely book marking that one!

Here's mine, I'm about in the middle of these on and east/west line.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Thanks for the link and yes, that's the location map I remember seeing, I remember your location because it was a map.

That's topography that creates your micro-climate...plus the hill. Brutal, I hate the wind...unless it's on a scorching summer day.

You mean the Woods Coop?
Adding storage area the west side could work.
BUT keep in mind you must keep the width of the front opening proportional to the depth of the coop or the Woods air cushion concept won't work. That proportion and keeping all windows, but the front opening, closed tight in winter is what makes it work.
You'd probably want the storage area walled off from main coop area so it wouldn't interfere with the air cushion(not sure it would) and it would keep 'chicken dust' from coating everything in the storage area.

The map is easier than trying to explain...I'm like 60 miles from anything notable in any direction. Lol. Far enough from the hustle bustle but close enough to not be completely isolated...I love being surrounded by farms...the Amish...with my mountains close by.

Never thought about the chicken dust thing...jeesh...I love this site. See...I love getting insight from veteran chicken peeps. I was going to keep that separation wall just studs covered with chicken wire. I like the concept of that Woods coop...but...when it is all said and done I will have crooked ideas from everyone.