Helpful hints for building coops

[Freedomfarmer420]

from central North Carolina.

We hot-climate people have special considerations to think of just like the cold-climate people.

Hot Climate Chicken Housing and Care

I strongly recommend an Open Air style coop, which can be thought of as a roofed run with a 3-sided shelter at the windward end.

Open Air Coops

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-positive-local-action-coop.72804/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/california-living.68130/

Man thnx a ton, I finally got time to go through the articles and build designs you suggested and it helped me decide on what coop design best works for me in my region. I wouldn't have never thought about that

 

[Sally PB]

When it comes to chickens, climate really matters. Just like in gardening.

 

[3KillerBs]

Man thnx a ton, I finally got time to go through the articles and build designs you suggested and it helped me decide on what coop design best works for me in my region. I wouldn't have never thought about that

You're welcome.

I'm passing on what I've learned from people here before and some trial and error adapting general advice to the needs of a hot and humid climate.

 

[Freedomfarmer420]

When it comes to chickens, climate really matters. Just like in gardening.

What about when it gets cold? With it being and open design how do you protect them. Do you cover it up or what

 

[Sally PB]

Remember, what is cold to you and me probably isn't to a chicken. They are wearing down parkas.

 

[3KillerBs]

What about when it gets cold? With it being and open design how do you protect them. Do you cover it up or what

What I do is to put a tarp on the most open wall in a place where it will shelter the roosts from direct wind. I put it up a bit early this year because of Ian. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/prepping-coop-and-run-for-wind.1550228/

Testing has shown that even on a windy day my roost area is draft-free. You can use a light ribbon or a bit of tissue paper tied to a thin string or some such item for testing. I have very long hair so I just went down with my hair loose to see if it blew around and it didn't.

Here's a report on my flock from this winter: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/10f-in-central-north-carolina-in-an-open-air-coop.1558090/

And from last winter when we had an unusual amount of snow: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/open-air-coop-in-the-snow.1508695/

 

[3KillerBs]

Remember, what is cold to you and me probably isn't to a chicken. They are wearing down parkas.

Right!

As long as they're dry and out of the wind they're fine down to 0F or below with no special arrangements required.

Though there was one day this past winter when the two SLWs, who always sleep right next to the vent on the diagonal brace instead of on the sheltered perch, did choose to move out of the direct draft.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-queens-have-conceded.1560913/

 

[Freedomfarmer420]

What I do is to put a tarp on the most open wall in a place where it will shelter the roosts from direct wind. I put it up a bit early this year because of Ian. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/prepping-coop-and-run-for-wind.1550228/

Testing has shown that even on a windy day my roost area is draft-free. You can use a light ribbon or a bit of tissue paper tied to a thin string or some such item for testing. I have very long hair so I just went down with my hair loose to see if it blew around and it didn't.

Here's a report on my flock from this winter: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/10f-in-central-north-carolina-in-an-open-air-coop.1558090/

And from last winter when we had an unusual amount of snow: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/open-air-coop-in-the-snow.1508695/

I was kicking around the idea of having one wall or 2 opposing walls that would be hinged so I could open up to allow air flow and when it gets cold close them shut

 

[Freedomfarmer420]

I just wann give them the best I can and make them comfortable as possible

 

[jvls1942]

I was kicking around the idea of having one wall or 2 opposing walls that would be hinged so I could open up to allow air flow and when it gets cold close them shut

that sounds like an idea, but I think it would
be simpler to make two sections in the wall
hinged, similar to casement windows. they wouldn't
have to be very huge,..