New Chicken Momma Here!

[TibbyB]

from Central Texas! Beautiful ladies you have there! As long as they have plenty of ventilation in the coop, but stay out of direct drafts they'll be just fine. My run is not covered, but I did put up a tarp on the north side to block the wind. That's all I will do as far as "winter proofing" goes.

Thanks!! There’s a window that’s not shown, which is covered in hardware cloth. They had a nice breeze in the in the summer, so I’m hoping that will provide what they need.
I like your roost in your run. I have a branch saved and I’m going to set one up for them too.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Thanks!! There’s a window that’s not shown, which is covered in hardware cloth. They had a nice breeze in the in the summer, so I’m hoping that will provide what they need.
I like your roost in your run. I have a branch saved and I’m going to set one up for them too.

Thank you! Is there any ventilation besides the 1 window? Do you have pics of the inside of your coop?

 

[N F C]

Hi Tibby, thanks for joining us!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. Thank's for Sharing the picture's your Chickens are Beautiful and your Coop Is really Nice! And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska.

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!
Beautiful coop and run! Do replace the chicken wire with HC.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC! Thanks for sharing pictures of your flock.

 

[sourland]

Good morning, Tibby, and welcome to BYC.

 

[DobieLover]

There’s a window

The window can't be left fully open during very cold, windy weather.

I’m hoping that will provide what they need.

It's unlikely.
You need to have air FLOW through the coop that is over the birds heads to promote the movement of stale, moist air out of the coop and fresh, dry air in. This requires an entrance and and exit.
You could (and should) add ventilation to the gable end of the coop that will be sheltered by the run roof. Ideally, you would also be able to open up spaces between the rafters and install a second vent at the opposing gable end. These vents would be permanently open.

 

[swampfox440]

Hi, welcome to BYC! thanks for joining us.

 

[Boppo]

Glad to meet you, Tibby and welcome to BYC. I'm a former Kentuckian, who grew up in Lexington. It's a beautiful area, and does get winter, so you are right to be thinking about this. (and let me say that is a very cute coop, and lovely hens, too!)

Here is an article on predator proofing your coop and run

Here is an article on winter chicken keeping, and a second one, because it takes two to cover it all!

And here is a wonderful article on ventilation, which you now know is key to winter chicken keeping (and all year round, too).

And just because you are going to need it sooner or later, an article on dealing with muddy coops and pens!

Best wishes from a former neighbor, now in Massachusetts!