Dallas/Ft. Worth chickens

[Inspector Rick]

I'm somewhat of an amature... First winter with chickens. I have five (soon to be eight this spring). I'm in the d/fw area. I built a really good coop. If you live here you know it has not been cold yet. What do i do about closing some of the vents (to keep the coop warmer)?. My coop has two windows and vents at the roof of the coop. I have closed one of the windows by about 70% (it faces South). I don't see freezing temps in at least 10 days. Would the chicks survive with the windows all open? my coop is 4x6 with a run about 75 sf. we let them free-range in our backyard from about 2:00pm until they decide to go in for the night. Please help!! I am interested in talking to others from the metroplex!!!

 

[dreamcatcherarabians]

I'm north of you about 5 hrs. Here's my coop, 2 south facing windows and a pop door that stays open 24/7. I only close the windows if the rain is out of the south or it's down in the 20s at night. I don't normally ever close the pop door. There are vents around the top of the coop, never closed because of humidity, and while the coop is good shelter, I wouldn't say it's completely tight. I've been raising chickens in it for about 5 years now and the only time I've had any trouble at all was during the really miserable ice storm in 2008. I had a couple get frosted combs, but didn't lose any to the cold temps.