If the door is open how can it stay warm?

[cheri222]

I was just going to post the same question, so thanks for saving me the time. The coop is on the south side of our garage, shares a wall and the run is covered so I also plan to add the clear plastic with vents. Im not so worried about the cold, but shoveling through 4ft snow drifts to get them out of the coop doesn't sound like fun.I was also thinking of some hay bales around the edge?? Might give them something to play with .

 

[Ed62]

Quote:
That's exactly what I was going to say. If it were me, I'd add more ventilation, just to be safer. It's easier to do it before you find there is a problem, and it really gets cold. We have 7 chickens with 6.8 sq. ft. of ventilation. I think we'll be OK, but I'll be keeping an eye open for any problems.

Ed

 

[Beekissed]

Like the previous poster stated, unless you have a particularly delicate breed of chicken, most breeds are cold hardy. Their downy layer of feathers are very insulating and the scales on their legs, and the combs and wattles slowly acclimate to weather changes and are very tough.

Chickens are like most other birds you see in the wild~who don't have heated nor insulated little houses~and are designed to withstand cold and hot temps. We humans are the only problem...when we are cold we imagine the animals are cold. They generally are not~God gave them fur and feathers for a good reason~they are designed to live outdoors.

As long as they have shelter from the wind and rain/snow, they usually do just fine. Heating and insulating their building, no matter how many vents, can lead to too much humidity, mold and too much moisture in the bedding.

Really, its best if you use no insulation at all, nice deep bedding and some good open spots in the coop for fresh air flow. If it feels warm to you in your coop, then it is too warm for chickens.

 

[OliviaDeHav]

Quote:
Thanks for this answer

We were going to NOT insulate the ceiling for this issue and not close off the vents.... We have had no issue with any moisture in the hottest of humid days - might add a vent or two prior to winter - but have a LOT on our plates, so if we don't have to, it would be better at this point not to add to our already overwhelmed family....
We have 2 reds and 3 buff orps.... they are suppose to be winter hardy

 

[OliviaDeHav]

Quote:
oooo hay bales! that is a good idea