How is my coop ventilation for winter

[DobieLover]

No. I added 2x4 there for winter, thinking that the cold months would let too much heat out... But I can possible remove them or drill holes in them

They should be removed.
All the vents need to be secured with 1/2" hardware cloth. I would secure it by screwing trim boards over the edges of the HC cloth making sure that none or no more than the tip of the screws penetrate the opposite side.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Which side of your coop will get the most wind?

 

[21hens-incharge]

No. I added 2x4 there for winter, thinking that the cold months would let too much heat out... But I can possible remove them or drill holes in them

I am next door(ish) in northern Colorado.

The goal should not be to keep heat in but rather allow warm moist air to rise and exit.
Opening the soffits is an excellent way to accomplish it.

I have open soffits on my coops and while the inside will be just as cold as the outside the birds down coats will keep them warm while the ventilation will help keep the coop dry.

I second the need for hardware cloth over the chicken wire.

 

[backyardnooob2020]

They should be removed.
All the vents need to be secured with 1/2" hardware cloth. I would secure it by screwing trim boards over the edges of the HC cloth making sure that none or no more than the tip of the screws penetrate the opposite side.

Should I keep the side vets? You can see where I added some plywood to close up the vets (on both sides) for winter.

 

[backyardnooob2020]

Which side of your coop will get the most wind?

Well, the west side and north side are very close to the fence, so they will get near to none.
So the front and nesting box side will get the most. That is why I added the little entry coverings to keep wind and snow from blowing directly into the entry door.

 

[DobieLover]

Should I keep the side vets? You can see where I added some plywood to close up the vets (on both sides) for winter.

I'd open them more.
You can always install cardboard baffles inside the coop if there are drafts at roost level that are strong enough to open feathers.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Well, the west side and north side are very close to the fence, so they will get near to none.
So the front and nesting box side will get the most. That is why I added the little entry coverings to keep wind and snow from blowing directly into the entry door.

Which way does your wind normally come from?
My wind comes from the west and northwest so I built my coop on the east side of my detached garage.

 

[backyardnooob2020]

I'd open them more.
You can always install cardboard baffles inside the coop if there are drafts at roost level that are strong enough to open feathers.

Apologies, but what do you mean by carboard baffles?
Also, do the roots need to be lower then the side vets so drafts don effect them while roosting at night?

 

[backyardnooob2020]

Which way does your wind normally come from?
My wind comes from the west and northwest so I built my coop on the east side of my detached garage.

In that area of the yard, I am actually not 100% sure.... Thinking about it, we seem to get more wind blowing north and south most of the time... Know I will have to keep on eye on that...

 

[springvalley123]

I'd also open up the complete side vents--the part that has chicken wire, so that that whole "slope" is covered with hardware cloth and no boards. The one roost may be too close to the vent, exposing the birds to the wind, but they have two lower roosts. I had a completely closed coop in (one of) my old places where it got down to 10 degrees F (20 is more normal), and you want to close the windward side and open the leeward side.

TIP: If it's just you putting up the hardware cloth, you staple it to a few key points so you can take your time screwing it in. Start the screws in the boards that you use to hold it in place before getting up there to fasten the board etc.