In Need Of Reassurance Please Re: Winter

[Hokum Coco]

I have 6 girls (TSC, said they are isa brown and black sexlinks

I have the same breed as they go under a variety of names in my area they call them Golden Comets they are a cold hearty breed.

My method is quite simple one extra feeder of whole corn. I live in Canada subject to -40º. I have raised various types of chickens and birds for decades.

TLC still has to be provided to birds that may not be adapting well to the diet. For the most part birds are vocal happy and do just fine. NO HEAT NO EXTRA LIGHT please and thank you works fine for me and my flock.

If for any reason you find it necessary to supply electricity to your coop via extension cord.

Please employ a "Ground Fault Outlet" also use a "Safety Chain" in conjunction to any heat lamp or incandescent bulb after mounting.
One coop fire is too many and these precautions could be the difference.

P.S. There are now a variety of ground fault extension cords available in major retail centers that also would be a wise investment.

 

[aart]

The ridge vent is circled in red. I wish we made it longer. We did work pretty hard on this coop. Thank you. Now we have to shape up the construction area. Also trying to decide how to keep the water bucket de-iced.

Once that ridge vent is covered with snow it there won't be much venting happening there, might want to go with larger gable vents, nice roof overhangs there should protect them well.

I'm sorry, this is not reassuring, but snow gathering where roof eave, gutter, and run wall meet could be a big problem. Keep an eye on it.

 

[jreardon1918]

Once that ridge vent is covered with snow it there won't be much venting happening there, might want to go with larger gable vents, nice roof overhangs there should protect them well.

I'm sorry, this is not reassuring, but snow gathering where roof eave, gutter, and run wall meet could be a big problem. Keep an eye on it.

Thanks for the feedback. larger Gable vents are a great suggestion. For this winter, I plan to use the snow rake to remove the snow. That hopefully will allow the ridge vent to work. Depending on how it works out, a redesign may be in order.

 

[aart]

Thanks for the feedback. larger Gable vents are a great suggestion. For this winter, I plan to use the snow rake to remove the snow. That hopefully will allow the ridge vent to work. Depending on how it works out, a redesign may be in order.

Suggested this to another NYer...do a dry run with the roof rake now,
to see if you can reach all areas of the roof easily.

 

[Jadenrosesmom]

I am worried about the same things. It's my first winter with chickens and thought converting my shed to a10x10 coop was a great idea but I removed the entire front of the shed framed it with 2x4 and built a new door all covered in just hardware cloth. Everyone says it must be draft free but it's a very open design so I think I'm going to cover the bottom 3/4's with plastic and leave only the top open for winter for ventilating. I have a heat lamp secured to the ceiling but have not used it yet. I think your set up looks really good for winter! I think you are better prepared than me lol! I'm in eastern Washington where it's cold and snowy. Here is my coop

 

[scjcb37]

I love your shed! What I wouldn't do for one like that! Well, we do have one we got from the Amish but my husband laid claim to it, lol. We also had to cover our run due to the eagles and hawks. You could cover the front in plywood for the winter and have one section swing open for a door and add a pop door to the bottom of the same panel, and remove and store for summer as needed. just my 2 cents in ideas
... Chrissy

I am worried about the same things. It's my first winter with chickens and thought converting my shed to a10x10 coop was a great idea but I removed the entire front of the shed framed it with 2x4 and built a new door all covered in just hardware cloth. Everyone says it must be draft free but it's a very open design so I think I'm going to cover the bottom 3/4's with plastic and leave only the top open for winter for ventilating. I have a heat lamp secured to the ceiling but have not used it yet. I think your set up looks really good for winter! I think you are better prepared than me lol! I'm in eastern Washington where it's cold and snowy. Here is my coop

 

[Hokum Coco]

cover the front in plywood for the winter

I agree it would also be more effective for keeping predators at bay.

 

[jreardon1918]

Suggested this to another NYer...do a dry run with the roof rake now,
to see if you can reach all areas of the roof easily.

We got our first snow fall last night. Four inches. The suggestion to do a dry run was right on. Based on my dry run, I knew to leave a couple chairs around the coop so that I could easily reach the roof. The direction the the coop points allows for even a little sun to help melt snow. Here is a before and after picture. You can see the ridge vent is wide open. The back of the coop does not get any sun. But that is the easier side to clear the snow.