First Winter with Chickens - Vent Too Big?

[PowerChanS]

Please ignore the tumblers.
I have 9 pullets in a 6x8' metal shed with a modified door to include a vent.
The vent is roughly 2.5' x 3.5' - I was worried that the summer heat is going to cook them alive. Turns out it's densely shaded so they were fine.
My concern now is the winter. Should I cover up the screen at least partially to prevent cold draft? How much should I leave open for humidity concerns?
Temperature in my area gets down to about mid 20s, with occasional chills that hits mid 10s.
Also, the opposite wall has the automatic gate to the run - should I keep it closed once the chickens stop hanging out due to the weather?
Appreciate all helpful comments in advance!

 

[PowerChanS]

 

[nuthatched]

Can wind hit then in the roosts?

 

[PowerChanS]

Currently, yes. The highest of 3 bars is roughly at the midpoint of the vent. When the temperature reached 29F a couple nights ago, I did notice the chickens not using the roosts. Maybe because of the draft?

 

[nuthatched]

Currently, yes. The highest of 3 bars is roughly at the midpoint of the vent. When the temperature reached 29F a couple nights ago, I did notice the chickens not using the roosts. Maybe because of the draft?

I would cover with plexiglass , all but the top 6".

 

[PowerChanS]

I would cover with plexiglass , all but the top 6".

sounds like a plan! Thanks for the input

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd think about hinging a piece of wood over it and propping it open, so ventilation stays open but drafts get buffered. Sort of like this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-coop-is-done-now-for-the-run.1381538/

Or tack on furnace/HVAC filter baffles: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/coop-modification-recommendations.1517556/#post-25543595 and https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ventilation-baffling.75434/

Oh almost forgot...

Also, the opposite wall has the automatic gate to the run - should I keep it closed once the chickens stop hanging out due to the weather?

Given their druthers chickens will prefer being outdoors to in. More likely they'll be reluctant to come out if there's snow, but you can shovel clearings for them or throw down dried leaves or sawdust to give them pathways. If you MUST confine them indoors due to adverse weather (and 10F does not count) then keep confinement to a minimum unless your coop is oversized to allow for longer term confinement (basically run sized, like 8-10 sq ft per bird inside).

 

[PowerChanS]

Given their druthers chickens will prefer being outdoors to in. More likely they'll be reluctant to come out if there's snow, but you can shovel clearings for them or throw down dried leaves or sawdust to give them pathways. If you MUST confine them indoors due to adverse weather (and 10F does not count) then keep confinement to a minimum unless your coop is oversized to allow for longer term confinement (basically run sized, like 8-10 sq ft per bird inside).

Prop sounds like an excellent idea. So my concern with the gate was since the vent and the gate are on opposite walls, the cold draft would come in through the gate and leave on the vent, affecting the entirety of the coop. Would that not be a concern?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Prop sounds like an excellent idea. So my concern with the gate was since the vent and the gate are on opposite walls, the cold draft would come in through the gate and leave on the vent, affecting the entirety of the coop. Would that not be a concern?

You'd need to stand in the coop and actually test the airflow to see if it's an issue.

But considering the chickens would most likely be outside most of the day, and assuming you close the pop door at night (and if you don't that's an easy solution) any draft issue during daylight hours shouldn't be a problem.

 

[PowerChanS]

But considering the chickens would most likely be outside most of the day, and assuming you close the pop door at night (and if you don't that's an easy solution) any draft issue during daylight hours shouldn't be a problem.

Silly me. I forgot that the automatic gate closes at nights. haha Thank you!