How would you modify this coop for cold weather?

[BedHead]

Pat, that's one thing I was wondering about - the fact that they'll be cooped up for so long in the winter. I wonder if I could make the coop part bigger but still use the basic design. Insulating the floor is a good idea - do you think the storage space underneath will help keep the coop warm? It should I would think, better than if I had an open space under there.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
The extremely-general concept of a house with an attached roofed run is very useful in the North, with the roofed run mostly-enclosed as described in my earlier post. How many chickens are you wanting to keep? You might find that enlarging the coop enough for your tastes (and your chickens') may put it into the realm of being better made by different construction techniques, and quite likely reconsidering the storage space issue. (You could have low storage in the coop with chickens allowed atop it, but for a larger, walk-in coop you are not going to want storage under *all* the floor). But, yes, the *general* concept would be fine if enlarged.

Insulating the floor is a good idea - do you think the storage space underneath will help keep the coop warm? It should I would think, better than if I had an open space under there.

IMHO there is not a lot of point in spending materials and labor insulating a floor, and thereby creating a potential rodent motel, when you can achieve exactly the same effect far, far more easily by just chucking a whole big lot of shavings in there for the winter. Sufficient depth of shavings will insulate real well, plus if they get extra cold they can snuggle down amongst the shavings.

As described above, I dunno as you can/should keep that storage space if you make the coop much bigger, but aside from that, I suppose it will add a *little* insulation as opposed to having the underneath open (although OTOH if the underneath were open, it would be usable by chickens and thus increase your usable square footage a bit). The thing to watch for would be that the storage space would need to be REAL well rodentproofed, otherwise mice or rats are going to chew their way in when you're not looking and be Very Reproductively Happy under there

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[LynneP]

Are your roosts installed with the narrow side of the 2x4 up? If so, when you rebuild in the north, flip them over so the wide side is up so the birds can keep their feet warm, or use a platform instead. I agree with Pat- Alberta has severe weather, and perhaps some owners from there will chime in, but I think you need to consider something sturdier, warmer, more sheltered and which will not build up with snow.

 

[CityChook]

What Pat said...

This is such a great little coop! It would be a welcome addition to anyone's back yard!

I built a similar coop last Fall for 3 chickens. The indoor part was 4x4, but you'll loose space with the nest box. In a cold climate, I would not put more than 3 chickens in there - it's just not big enough when they have to be locked in for days (or maybe even weeks) on end. I don't know how frequently that might happen for you, but it's pretty darned common around here. We're in a heat wave right now with temps in the 20s (F) and my girls are enjoying some time outside for the first time since Christmas.

And personally, I don't think that it's really big enough for 3 birds, but that's just me. I like to see at least 8-12 sq/ft per bird in genuinely cold climates if it's possible. I know I'm going to take a lot of heat for that comment, but it has paid off for me.

The space under the coop will help decrease the wind tunnel that is going to inevitably occur underneath. It also makes a good storage space. HOWEVER, I am quite positive that critters are going to make it quite cozy for themselves no matter HOW HARD YOU TRY to keep them out. I don't know about you, but having a frightened chipmunk leap out at me while I'm kneeling down in the snow to refill feeders doesn't sound like a great way to start off my day...

If you left that storage space open and available for the run, I recommend VERY deep litter as an insulator. Build the doors (human and chicken) 9-12 inches above the floor so that shavings don't fall out each time the door is opened. If that's not possible, put a removable 1x6 in front of the door, but build your doors tall enough to accomodate. I'd also recommend hard-wiring it for a heat lamp that can be positioned high and operated with a switch. A metal exterior fixture with a ceramic socket is easily sourced at any large hardware store. A small number of chickens will have a difficult time keeping a coop warm using only their body heat (and residual sunlight from the window) in harsh climates. While you're wiring for heat, I'd put in at least one electrical plug for your water dish.

Regardless, the coop walls AND CEILING will need to be insulated and then sealed in with plywood. I'd recommend a higher R rating than simple styrofoam panels if you can do it. Ventilation should be in the gables both on the run side and the back wall. Make them closable for when storms roll through or temps get too cold. Personally, I'd put in more ventilation than this coop shows (3 holes in gable). You can always close it up if it's too much, but finding out that your coop is humid and stinky (and a frostbite trap) and having to cut new vents after you've insulated will be a bummer.

I'd also try to make the window as large as you can, both so your birds can have a view of the great outdoors, but also for the sunlight that it will let in to assist in heating the interior. I particularly like how they have the window/screen set up. Really looks great and super functional.

It's a great looking coop - I especially like how they have painted it inside and out to protect the wood.