Coop open or closed in the cold?

[Battlepants]

Little backstory - had a hawk attack earlier this week which killed my rooster. I had scared it off before it fed, so thought I might be in the clear to avoid it coming back. Well, it came back a couple days later and fortunately just got tangled in the fence for a minute or so, then flew away. I herded everyone back to the coop for safety. These past few days, I have just left everyone in the secured coop while I put together a quick secured run. Run completed and now my hens will only briefly spend time in the run, some not even leaving the coop. I also noticed that they are extra puffed up with the door open (it's rather cold out right now). Not sure if they are opting to stay in the coop for warmth, because the creation of the run made a LOT of noise or are on hawk avoidance still. Kinda thinking they are mostly avoiding the cold.

So, my question - if nobody steps outside anyway, should I just close up the coop to keep it less drafty?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How cold is cold? How windy and what's the wind chill? Does their run a roof? does the run have any random clutter or things to hide under if they see the hawk circling?

 

[Battlepants]

Currently 21F with light wind - according to wunderground, windchill is 21F. As for the run, it is chickenwire on all sides (including chickwire top), but is connected to the coop and the coop is on stilts, so they could go under the coop to hide. Additionally, the ramp to the coop can be hid under to an extent.

I can try to get some extra clutter in there to hide under, but TBH, this run is kinda small and I am worried about hampering their movement too much with stuff in the way. I think it is technically big enough for the population I have left (4 full size and 1 bantam in about 50 sq foot in total), but just feels small.

Of side note: This run is effectively a temp build until I am able to rebuild the coop and build out a proper run in the next couple months.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Currently 21F with light wind - according to wunderground, windchill is 21F. As for the run, it is chickenwire on all sides (including chickwire top), but is connected to the coop and the coop is on stilts, so they could go under the coop to hide. Additionally, the ramp to the coop can be hid under to an extent.

I can try to get some extra clutter in there to hide under, but TBH, this run is kinda small and I am worried about hampering their movement too much with stuff in the way. I think it is technically big enough for the population I have left (4 full size and 1 bantam in about 50 sq foot in total), but just feels small.

Of side note: This run is effectively a temp build until I am able to rebuild the coop and build out a proper run in the next couple months.

21F with minimal wind and no chill isn't really cold for a chicken. With no roof on the run and nowhere to hide I would lean more towards a combination of the run being something new/scary and the hawk circling overhead.

 

[Battlepants]

That's a good point. I'll keep an eye on things and try to get them back to their coop being opened at sunrise and closed at sunset routine. Just with them being let in the run rather than the open yard.

Additionally, you really got me reflecting on my yard situation for them. With the foliage dying back due to winter, there are parts of the yard that are really exposed and I suspect this is what attracted the hawk in the first place. There was some cover where my rooster got hit, but the second attack found my silkie pressed into a fence corner with no real cover - got super lucky that the hawk took a bad approach angle and slammed into the fence rather than taking the silkie.

Most likely going to be trying to propagate more evergreens on the property for both privacy and coverage for the chickens, but I welcome any other suggestions on setting up a safe yard.

 

[LaFleche]

Provide a wind shielded corner in your run where they can hang out in the sun feeling safe.

And you could add an old chair or garden table for cover.

 

[NatJ]

I can try to get some extra clutter in there to hide under, but TBH, this run is kinda small and I am worried about hampering their movement too much with stuff in the way.

Maybe put in a chair or a small table-- they can hide underneath or sit on top, but the legs don't take up much space at ground level. (Obviously, use one that you would otherwise be ready to throw away, because of what will happen to it in a chicken pen!)

 

[Ridgerunner]

I put together a quick secured run. Run completed and now my hens will only briefly spend time in the run,

Your run is now hawk safe so you don't have to worry about that. I took this photo when it was +4 F, that is ice laying on the ground. I leave the pop door open and let them decide if they want to come out or not. If a cold wind is blowing, they stay in shelter. It was calm so they came out.

I don't think your weather has anything to do with it. Probably they are still nervous about the hawk, they don't know you put a roof on that run. I'd just leave the door open and let them manage it. Eventually they will come out again. You can add stuff in the run if you want. I don't know that it is necessary but it won't hurt as long as you can still get around in there.

As for the run, it is chickenwire on all sides (including chickwire top), I am worried about hampering their movement too much with stuff in the way. I think it is technically big enough for the population I have left (4 full size and 1 bantam in about 50 sq foot in total), but just feels small.

Don't worry about their movements in there, it's you that will have problems. That 50 square feet meets the minimal recommendations usually given on this forum but yeah, that feels small to me too.

 

[RubelliteRose]

We prop up pallets around our run to help block the wind, moving them around depending upon wind direction. We also placed pallet tents around the yard to give our flock places to hide. We tied the top edges together with baling twine. They are very sturdy - we have had several strong storms (50-70 mph wind gusts) and none have collapsed.
Another thing we did is to ziptie a section of reed fencing to the top of part of our run to give our flock some cover from the sun. It also keeps them from panicking when hawks fly over. If you don't get much snow, it may work for you. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-...d-and-Polished-Reed-Fencing-4477301/203580840

 

[3KillerBs]

Maybe put in a chair or a small table-- they can hide underneath or sit on top, but the legs don't take up much space at ground level. (Obviously, use one that you would otherwise be ready to throw away, because of what will happen to it in a chicken pen!)

I use plastic lawnchairs upside down.

Then if I want to sit with the chickens I flip one over and have a clean place to park for a while.

The chickens perch on top of them, dig dust baths under them, and chase each other around them.