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

[KettermanHillCoop]

I'm planning on creating a larger living space for my feathered friends in the late spring or early summer thanks in part by all the lovely coops shown here as well as the boatload of info I've learned since my whirlwind weekend coop building experience. (My current coop seems so inadequate )

Wind...omgosh....wind is an issue of mass proportions! I've read posts after posts in regards to coop ventilation and prevailing winds. I never really paid much mind to the wind...as it is ALWAYS blowing where I'm at. The only time I take notice is during a N'oreaster....since those babies are brutal....like a brick to the face sort of brutal. Anyhoo...after taking pause and paying attention to wind...I've come to the conclusion that I live on top of a hill inside a wind tunnel.

I began doing a scientific research in regards to historical wind patterns for my area and well....eh...I'm in a wind tunnel.

I've uploaded three wind roses from the closest airports. I am located in the center of the triangle of them. Please take a gander at them and if you can, please give me some input on how to build my next coop. What faces where? Where should I put windows? Doors? Vents? Pop door to the run? Yada, yada, yada....

Thanks in advance!


Airport south of me....24 miles away

Airport west of me....21 miles away

Airport east of me....21 miles away

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What I know about our weather and I think it's similar to your area. Winter weather blows out of the northwest. Summer weather comes out of the west, changing from north to south.

Your biggest concern is winter. Pop doors should face east or south. Windows should face south or east. You can add wind breaks, which should block the north and west. I use 6 foot dog eared fence panels from the home improvement store, they also work as shade, as well as just as fencing. They also allow wind to pass through for summer but slow down wicked winter winds.

Big snow storms can come around out of the east, hence the nor- easter. So closing up pop doors during those storms is the best idea. Your coop should be big enough to keep your chickens inside for a few days without them pecking each other out of boredom. Your run should be easy to shovel out.

Don't know if I've been helpful or not, but that's my thoughts.

 

[N F C]

Impressive research @KettermanHillCoop

And good advice from @oldhenlikesdogs

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

What I know about our weather and I think it's similar to your area. Winter weather blows out of the northwest. Summer weather comes out of the west, changing from north to south.

Your biggest concern is winter. Pop doors should face east or south. Windows should face south or east. You can add wind breaks, which should block the north and west. I use 6 foot dog eared fence panels from the home improvement store, they also work as shade, as well as just as fencing. They also allow wind to pass through for summer but slow down wicked winter winds.

Big snow storms can come around out of the east, hence the nor- easter. So closing up pop doors during those storms is the best idea. Your coop should be big enough to keep your chickens inside for a few days without them pecking each other out of boredom. Your run should be easy to shovel out.

Don't know if I've been helpful or not, but that's my thoughts.

Wind blocks are limited to nature...very tall trees that don't really offer much blockage...you can check out the surroundings in this pic. A fence structure is not an option as a windbreaker.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Impressive research @KettermanHillCoop

And good advice from @oldhenlikesdogs

Thanks. My initial coop was an emergency quickie to get my adopted flock out of harms way. When I build their permanent nice digs...I only want to do it once.

 

[imnukensc]

You can always put baffles inside your coop at the ventilation points. Still allows plenty of ventilation without wind blowing through. Agree with earlier poster that pop door and windows should face east or south.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Right now my run is on the east side of the coop with the pop door also facing east. That part is good then?
Just this past weekend the wind was just howling over my hill from the west....then southwest...then west...then northwest then west again....sigh. I was out there trying to work on the coop and jeesh what an unpleasant ordeal. The poor buggers were there inspecting my every move with their feathers being blown to bits.

My game-plan, at this moment in time, is to include an enclosed shed for feed, supplies and egg box access into the coop plan. Maybe use the shed area to be a buffer?

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

You can always put baffles inside your coop at the ventilation points. Still allows plenty of ventilation without wind blowing through. Agree with earlier poster that pop door and windows should face east or south.

Do you have a pic of a baffle?

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

I really do appreciate all the advice...the world of chickens is new to me, but gosh, do I love them. I want them to live a happy, safe and loved life.

 

[imnukensc]

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