Draft free coop ideas for an open coop design

[Gaettberry]

So I made the mistake of building a coop prior to knowledge that chickens need an enclosed coop.this coop works wonder during the summer but as it’s getting colder I know I’m going to need to creat a draft free environment. Looking for suggestions on what I can do to make this coop safe and draft free. (Take it easy on me I know this isn’t technically a “coop” and it’s just a run, but it will have to do until next summer)

 

[Sally PB]

Where are you located? If you put your location in your profile, then it's there and people can offer better advice. Just the state is fine, or country if you're outside the US.

Climate matters -- a lot! -- with keeping chickens. What works for me in Michigan is different from what works in Florida or Alaska.

 

[Gaettberry]

Where are you located? If you put your location in your profile, then it's there and people can offer better advice. Just the state is fine, or country if you're outside the US.

Climate matters -- a lot! -- with keeping chickens. What works for me in Michigan is different from what works in Florida or Alaska.

I live in Missouri, in the states.

 

[Sally PB]

Once it gets cold here in Michigan (in another couple weeks or so) I staple air filter material over the openings in the coop. It's a spun polyester material, about 1/16" thick. It cuts the wind/breeze, but allows air exchange. It's important for the warm moist air and ammonia to vent out.

For the run, which is covered, I have some translucent polycarbonate panels that I put up to block the prevailing wind. I don't have enough to do the entire north and west sides, so the rest is covered to a height of 4-5 feet with clear shower curtains. The south side is the coop, and the east side is about 6 feet from the side of the garage.

Depending on the wind strength and direction, snow can still blow in at times. The west side (most windy) is covered to the roof, but the other sides have openings up near the roof to keep the air moving in the run on still days. There is no poop smell in the coop or run, even with 10 chickens.

 

[Gaettberry]

Once it gets cold here in Michigan (in another couple weeks or so) I staple air filter material over the openings in the coop. It's a spun polyester material, about 1/16" thick. It cuts the wind/breeze, but allows air exchange. It's important for the warm moist air and ammonia to vent out.

For the run, which is covered, I have some translucent polycarbonate panels that I put up to block the prevailing wind. I don't have enough to do the entire north and west sides, so the rest is covered to a height of 4-5 feet with clear shower curtains. The south side is the coop, and the east side is about 6 feet from the side of the garage.

Depending on the wind strength and direction, snow can still blow in at times. The west side (most windy) is covered to the roof, but the other sides have openings up near the roof to keep the air moving in the run on still days. There is no poop smell in the coop or run, even with 10 chickens.

I planned on getting some plastic sheeting but shower curtains sound like a good idea too! And they’re probably cheaper. Do you think if I wrap the coop in plastic it will be sufficient enough for winter or do I need to add a heater? Etc?

 

[FrostRanger]

It is a coop, it's just an open air coop, I have one myself. An easy way to block drafts would to just drape a few tarps around the sides (taking care to leave enough ventilation) . No need to add a heater, chickens handle cold much better than heat so I think you should be OK depending on your climate

 

[Sally PB]

Do you think if I wrap the coop in plastic it will be sufficient enough for winter or do I need to add a heater?

No need to add a heater, chickens handle cold much better than heat

Remember, chickens are wearing down parkas. They handle cold better than we do.