Looking for experienced input on a cold-climate open-air coop

[WthrLady]

I've been so busy getting the acreage ready for spring, I haven't started it up yet. I keep waiting for a down day to type, rain, cold, snow, something! It hasn't happened. The blog is there, but so far blank. But you can bookmark it, to read later. http://dunrovinstation.blogspot.com I have had other blogs, but this one is all things on the homestead. I have lots of photos, and like I said, when i'm done I'm even posting the list of purchases for it.

I managed to run over my smart phone yesterday with the tractor..... so photos from it to here from the field as I work is on hold for a couple of days. Lol.

Amazingly enough, it was still playing music and all data was recovered, it just has no resemblance to a phone anymore.

 

[Kris64]

Through this thread I've learned about the ratio, which made intuitive sense from the start. Our space, however, limits how deep we can go. Our footprint is 6' x 6' with a 6' x 7' opening on the south side. We're in the middle of building it now. My thoughts are when the walls and roof are up to monitor the roost area; if a draft exists, we'll partially close the front--maybe with tarp to make it easier to only put up when it's windy out.

 

[aart]

Through this thread I've learned about the ratio, which made intuitive sense from the start. Our space, however, limits how deep we can go. Our footprint is 6' x 6' with a 6' x 7' opening on the south side. We're in the middle of building it now. My thoughts are when the walls and roof are up to monitor the roost area; if a draft exists, we'll partially close the front--maybe with tarp to make it easier to only put up when it's windy out.

I have wondered if you have a shallower depth, if you reduce the size of the south opening if it might balance out?
You could use the tarp(s) to test it out maybe...make sure there are no other openings except the south/front....let us know.

 

[Kris64]

Exactly. The roof will go from 7' in the front to 6' in the back and originally we planned on keep the area up high open (with hardware cloth), then due to ratios I thought about all but the front open. Since it's in the building stage, the plan is to do it one way and test it and modify as needed.

Noticing wind patterns near the chicken shelter is very helpful as well. Ironically, the wind may come more from the north and west, but when paper flies about where the chickens will end up going, they are blown to the north east corner of the garden implying a stronger draft in our backyard from the south and west!

 

[aart]

Exactly. The roof will go from 7' in the front to 6' in the back and originally we planned on keep the area up high open (with hardware cloth), then due to ratios I thought about all but the front open. Since it's in the building stage, the plan is to do it one way and test it and modify as needed.

Noticing wind patterns near the chicken shelter is very helpful as well. Ironically, the wind may come more from the north and west, but when paper flies about where the chickens will end up going, they are blown to the north east corner of the garden implying a stronger draft in our backyard from the south and west!

Those wind patterns could change too....maybe think about removable panels in front, and other sides, so you can open it up wide in summer.

 

[Kris64]

Smart. That would be a good reason to keep it open at the roof area and panel only when needed.

I wonder if a draft during warmer summer nights is an issue? I doubt it--illogical. Then again I'm new and tip my hat to those that have been through this.

 

[windtryst]

Yes, I rake the snow off. But the roof is so worth it.

 

[WthrLady]

The predominant wind direction is very important. In winter, you want that back closed wall to take the brunt of the winter winds. Here it is pointed nnw. Rarely does the winter breeze blow from the south or south east in the winter.

Then in the summer the winds switch to being from the west, south and south west and south east. With all the windows open this draws the hot air up and out and through the coop.

 

[WthrLady]

With all windows closed air blows in about 12 inches. open the front side windows and that distance increases to the front 4.5 feet of the coop. Open the upper windows and I get full exchange 12 feet back.

My coop is 8 Ft wide and 12 deep.

 

[WthrLady]

For example... in the last three days you can see in this link that the predominant winds for black mountain is also from the nw
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?call=DW1641!Black Mountain&last=72

But I KNOW HOW wack a doo mountain/valley winds can be.