I'm in a bit of a pickle

[JDN]

If/when you get some money freed up, or have the wood lying around, enclose the area of the walk up ramp. It need not be finished on the same level as the rest of the coop...but put roosting bars in it and enclose it on three and a half sides.

 

[uknotku]

That's a nice setup for the ducks and chickens. Well done. You'll be fine on space, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

If you needed, could you build a seaparate structure for the ducks and then convert the whole thing to a chicken coop? Ducks only need 4sq ft each in a coop and that means basically any structure that will keep them out of the wind if needed. They will spend a lot more time outdoors even in winter and rain. Their structure doesn't need to be as involved as the chickens - which you know since you were just using the bottom for them.
Just an idea. Your coop and run is pretty cool.

 

[mr_dave]

If you needed, could you build a seaparate structure for the ducks and then convert the whole thing to a chicken coop? Ducks only need 4sq ft each in a coop and that means basically any structure that will keep them out of the wind if needed. They will spend a lot more time outdoors even in winter and rain. Their structure doesn't need to be as involved as the chickens - which you know since you were just using the bottom for them.
Just an idea. Your coop and run is pretty cool.

That's a possibility. The duck area has a much lower ceiling, so there's not a ton of room for a roost, but I could probably stick a roosting bar a foot off the floor or so and throw in a nest box. I'm hoping to avoid that, but it's a good idea.

 

[lazy gardener]

You might even pick up a dog house for the ducks. Your winter temps are similar to mine. One word of caution. Is that hardware cloth over the top of the run? If so, that will not last through your first real winter storm. I have 2 x 4 welded wire fencing over part of my run, which is my "winter run". I even have to knock the heavy snow off that. Otherwise, it sticks, and more snow builds up on top of it until the whole thing is completely covered, and sagging down. In a winter storm, I may need to knock snow off my peaked tarp and fencing covered roof 3 - 4 times. I've even been out knocking snow down in the middle of the night, if it's a mean ol' Nor' Easter.

As @aart says, ventilation is what it's all about, especially in the north. Chicken poo and respiration is moisture laden. A small coop that is maxed out (4 s.f./bird) especially a coop that is not walk in height is a recipe for frost bite if it is not well ventilated.

 

[mr_dave]

One word of caution. Is that hardware cloth over the top of the run? If so, that will not last through your first real winter storm.

It's chicken wire. Hardware cloth is only used for vents and the bottom 3' of the run's fence.

 

[mr_dave]

Everyone, thanks so much for your advice and replies! I think that at this point, I'm going to wait and watch. I'll cull the roosters and see what my head count is at that point, then see how they behave. If it gets problematic, I'll probably make a quick enclosure under the open roof area (where the ramp is). But if they seem to behave fine and don't act too stressed, I'll probably just leave it as-is and add some entertainment in the run. As several people have pointed out, my 14 chickens probably only consist of about 8-10 hens, which will put me in a more manageable scenario.

 

[aart]

Everyone, thanks so much for your advice and replies! I think that at this point, I'm going to wait and watch. I'll cull the roosters and see what my head count is at that point, then see how they behave. If it gets problematic, I'll probably make a quick enclosure under the open roof area (where the ramp is). But if they seem to behave fine and don't act too stressed, I'll probably just leave it as-is and add some entertainment in the run. As several people have pointed out, my 14 chickens probably only consist of about 8-10 hens, which will put me in a more manageable scenario.

You'll figure it out.
If you don't get a ton of snow, putting some roof panels and wind breaks on the run will really help in the winter.