Need advice on first coop - open air style?

[BrandiT23]

Hi everyone, I would like some feedback on my first chicken coop. I'm in the process of building a coop that is 6' x 3', 2 separate levels, elevated 18" of the ground. I live close the Dallas, TX so we have very hot humid summers and mild winters, rarely below freezing.

Right now, the coop is completely surrounded in hardware cloth, but no plywood or siding or any kind, open air style. The only area completely protected from drafts is in the nesting boxes. Should I close in the whole coop? I'm concerned about ventilation and the chickens getting too hot since our summers here can be brutal.

On the other hand, I don't want it to be too drafty or exposed in storms. I've seen some coops that leave 1-2 entire sides open covered in only the hardware cloth. Does anyone have a setup like that? Should I just cover the areas around the roosting bars and leave the rest open? I've also thought about closing up one level and leaving the bottom level open (secured with hardware cloth only) and that way the chickens can go where they are most comfortable.

Ideas? Input? Am I over-thinking this? I tend to do that alot!

 

[JackE]

I would just enclose an area around the roosts with three walls and a roof, maybe three foot deep, so they can get out of any blowing rain you may get, and leave the rest of it screened with hardware cloth. You should be able to have your coop pretty much wide open down there. How many birds you putting in there?
Jack

 

[BrandiT23]

Thanks for the insight. We have 4 birds in there now. They've been in the coop a couple nights now and have done pretty well. I've been putting a blanket over half of it to keep the wind out because I wasn't sure whether or not to enclose it.