fresh air coops

[maryboland]

While researching the subject of pastured chickens, I ran across a book about fresh air coops first published in the 1920s and recently republished by Norton Press. Seems there is a whole school of thought that all coops should have one side OPEN, i.e. only screened, 24/7, even in the coldest climates. These folks argue that cold doesn't bother the birds as long as they are dry and out of bad wind (screen on open side breaks up wind), but that lack of fresh air in a closed coop is very bad for them. I live at 7000 ft in the Rockies, and nighttime winter temps can often go as low as minus ten. Still we have bird that live outside all winter. Has anyone in a northern clime practiced this fresh air coop all winter?

 

[elmo]

try looking at this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=287097&p=1

 

[TXmom]

I have an open air coop...but I live in Texas so my situation doesn't necessarily apply to you. I only close the "open" side if it is especially cold, windy and rainy...which is only a few times per year.

 

[patandchickens]

This has been discussed in a LOT of threads, try using "search" -- including a thread where I reviewed the book and both I and a bunch of others commented on it and discussed its general applicability: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=282991

Readers' digest version: the author is not an unbiased or always-correct source of information but I believe there is good foundation for saying that WELL DESIGNED coops of that type are useful in cold/northern areas, although in the coldest areas (which you are not) careful selection of breed may also help.

Note "well designed" -- this is not a concept you can resize, reshape or redesign without very careful forethought, because some apparently-small-and-harmless alterations will render the building quite drafty and cold and probably give ya frostbitten chickens. In particular, the houses need to be fairly good-sized and generally work best if deeper than wide (so that the open side, which if you look at the designs is always only PART open, is the south-facing SHORT side)

If you post particular coop designs/plans/sketches you are considering, people could probably opine on how it might work for you

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[PlanterTomato]

I purchased the same book -- Fresh Air Poultry houses -- and build mine based on a photo I saw in the book. I scaled down the proportions and added some features like plastic nest boxes which can be more easily cleaned and a floor pan which makes cleaning the coop a breeze. You can see the design plans and a bunch of photos on my blog http://www.plantertomato.com Just look under the tab for chickens.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
That would make an attractive and lovely little coop for warm regions such as California

Because of the original topic of this thread, though, I feel I should point out that it will behave quite poorly (way too cold/humid) if used as a "fresh air coop" in wintertime in northern type climates. So this scaled-down design should NOT be used in the North (unless you want to run it as a closed type coop in wintertime - but if you do, there are probably still better designs, or versions of this one)

Pat