I'm about to give up on chickens

[bruceha2000]

Well then, a monitor top would be a great addition. Lots of ventilation above the birds and you can close the windows for the winter.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The OP said -7°C which is 19F.

TY for the correction. Even so, assuming draft free and fully feathered, the birds should be fine ina well ventilated coop. Most of what I read of injuries in poorly vented coops just below freezing is frostbite injuries to toes and combs, not sudden death.

 

[JacksonChickies]

I just want to thank everyone for their comments, advice and knowledge. I will definitely have some reading to do and will look at making some changes to our current coop situation.

As one last question, more for next year than right now....ventilation issues aside, how many chickens could I house comfortably before needing to change/expand my current setup?? *they are allowed free run of the yard, so long as I am home*

 

[JacksonChickies]

Wrap plastic around the windward sides of your run, so you have a better handle on drafts. More ventilation is necessary! In snow country, having a covered run matters, and your movable coop/ run design isn't predator proof.
Mary

I am aware of the predator issue and that is a risk we chose for this first coop, as for the wind, right now I'm not super concerned as I have moved them to the back side of the house, away from the lake so it should be lessens but will definitely keep this in mind. Any kind of outdoor plastic?? or would a tarp do??

 

[3KillerBs]

What are the actual dimensions of the coop and of the run?

The usual guidelines are to have 4 square feet per adult, standard-sized hen in the coop and 10 square feet of space per adult, standard-sized hen in the run.

If they free-range from dawn to dusk you can sometimes push this space successfully (or sometimes not). But if their free-range is only a few hours then that doesn't really contribute to their space needs.

 

[aart]

As one last question, more for next year than right now....ventilation issues aside, how many chickens could I house comfortably before needing to change/expand my current setup?? *they are allowed free run of the yard, so long as I am home*

3 chickens max..after you add some ventilation.

 

[Sabra Adams]

This might not be the right place to post this but I swear the chicken raising gods have it out for me......I came home today at 430PM PDT and found Bandit (DOB 5/21/21) dead in the coop....little back story, we live in Central BC and the weather suddenly turned cold a few days ago...not terribly but the lowest was -7°C. We relocated our tractor coop to a wind protected corner of the yard Saturday afternoon and replaced the shavings one last time before "winter". This morning my husband opened the coop door and put the water in the run, both my girls were fine....by 430......Bandit was dead and stiff....What am I missing??? This is the 2nd chicken to turn up dead suddenly since we started in April...

 

[ChickenLeg]

Someone mentioned wrapping run in plastic, I do this on my chicken tractors. I use greenhouse plastic and staple it on the wood with batten tape. Like everyone said you still need ventilation so I wouldnt wrap all the run, Id probably do the bottom and the top slant then leave the 2 side triangle openings plastic free

 

[Doriss]

Be inclined to put lots of straw in,, in piles, as it's insulation. You did not say what type of bedding you use.

 

[JacksonChickies]

Be inclined to put lots of straw in,, in piles, as it's insulation. You did not say what type of bedding you use.

I am using shavings....I think they're pine