Sounds like a viable design plan...but as junebuggena suggests, you also need 24/7 ventilation that is protected from the weather. I know you mentioned being able to unsnap a few to open, but that might lead to a flapping piece of plastic.
NC coast. As far as ventilation issues....if you have ever been on a boat with an enclosed captain's area, the enclosure is snapped to the boat frame. it is not airtight nor stuffy. It allows good ventilation while blocking wind/rain/snow while providing protection from extremely frigid temps. On nice days with more moderate temps, the top or a corner could be unsnapped on one or more panels, tucking the unsnapped section to the inside against the hardware cloth.
You know, when I was living in Alaska I never saw Iditarod dogs quite like yours, but with super insulated snowsuits and lots of tasty treats, I'll bet they could finish the entire race ... tucked inside a heated and fully enclosed sled!Really nice coop. Here are just a few observations/thoughts.
You are in Texas, so severe cold is not issue. I personally would not block any ventilation, except maybe during severe weather like hurricane. Temporarily as well, until it passed. I see the roost is well below the vents, so that is ideal. Only thing to avoid is direct wind and drafts. Gentle air movement to vent the air and moisture is what is sought after. As long as the chickens feathers are not ruffled by air movement, that is the goal. Is the open eves area protected with hardware cloth? Raccoons are everywhere in our nation, and I see them entering thru there with no sweat. Yes, they can chew hardware cloth , but not likely to devote that much effort and they will move on to something easier.
As to dogs, you may consider some like mine from my Iditarod Team.
View attachment 1177697
Both are RESCUES. They get along with my cats as well.
WISHING YOU BEST......
Thanks. The bottom and door are hw cloth and welded wire. The top vents have hw cloth. There is a trap door on a cable to below. I have 20 feet of roost, 2 nesting buckets, a light, and clock radio to make predators hear voices. I have a 5 gallon bucket of feed piped to the feeder below. I’m still struggling with a good watering system, but I’ll figure it out.Really nice coop. Here are just a few observations/thoughts.
You are in Texas, so severe cold is not issue. I personally would not block any ventilation, except maybe during severe weather like hurricane. Temporarily as well, until it passed. I see the roost is well below the vents, so that is ideal. Only thing to avoid is direct wind and drafts. Gentle air movement to vent the air and moisture is what is sought after. As long as the chickens feathers are not ruffled by air movement, that is the goal. Is the open eves area protected with hardware cloth? Raccoons are everywhere in our nation, and I see them entering thru there with no sweat. Yes, they can chew hardware cloth , but not likely to devote that much effort and they will move on to something easier.
As to dogs, you may consider some like mine from my Iditarod Team.
View attachment 1177697
Both are RESCUES. They get along with my cats as well.
WISHING YOU BEST......
Yeah, but boat captains(and their crews) don't poop on the floor there.
Sounds like pretty cool idea. Cost effective considering the ability to reuse the enclosure. NC coast, eh? I chillax in Hatteras every year. Love it there...laid back, great peeps and no crowds.
aart,Yeah, but boat captains(and their crews) don't poop on the floor there.
...love the response!
LOL....I wouldn't put it passed some of them! I free range during the day so the coop won't be closed up 24-7. I also clean and remove droppings every day.Yeah, but boat captains(and their crews) don't poop on the floor there.
Doesn't matter if you free range or not. It's at night that the ventilation is most needed.
