New coop completed. Should we do anything to the run?

[UrbanSproutsandHarvest]

We finished the new coop for the most part. We do have four circular 3” vents to put in the front and back gables. We also have some 4” rubber molding to put around the bottom interior and nesting box curtains to put up, but we got it done enough for the girls to move in. We insulated their coop for when se have snow and negative weather but should we wind break the run also. Trying to decide if we should be blocking a section or putting tarp over or around a section.

They now have a 5x6 coop for the 6 of them to provide them with shelter when its cold, but their coop is in a 14x24 run that is open aired with 1/2 inch hardware cloth, they can go under the coop to get out of the rain so they do have a 5x6 covered section, but nothing to break wind besides the hill along the backside of the run. Any suggestions for the run? Do we need to wind break the run?

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

I don’t see the need for a windbreak, they can just go inside. I recommend putting some tree stumps and branches around for them to sit on.

 

[LateBirdFarms]

I absolutely adore the faux brick! Is that paneling or linoleum... or..?

 

[LateBirdFarms]

Where in the world are you? What are your winters like?

 

[DobieLover]

I install wind blocks on my run but we get some pretty brutal winds during winter and go into negative digits several times.
Even with the extra vents you're going to install you are going to need more ventilation than what you have. And the cup waterer is going to freeze and shouldn't be kept in the coop during winter as it is a constant source of moisture that will promote frostbite.
If you have long periods with snow on the ground having a run with a solid roof is a huge asset as it provides a snow free area for them to be outside in.

 

[UrbanSproutsandHarvest]

I don’t see the need for a windbreak, they can just go inside. I recommend putting some tree stumps and branches around for them to sit on.

They have a whole fallen tree jungle gym We had an inland Hurrican, Derecho, a few years back and we gave them the pine tree top and a mulberry it took down. We had to move it from the corner it was in to the other side since we built the new coop where it was at, but they still love to hang out on it.

 

[UrbanSproutsandHarvest]

I absolutely adore the faux brick! Is that paneling or linoleum... or..?

We are in Iowa so we could stay above 20 all winter or get a polar vortex and be below -35 really just depends on the year but the summers can be nice or break over 100 so we figured the insulation would help keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We used 1/8 paneling and I put saturday lime under and over the insulation before we buttoned it up. We have never had mites, but someone said if you do get them they like walls so it’s a good preventative so I took the suggestion since we always have some on hand anyway.

 

[UrbanSproutsandHarvest]

I install wind blocks on my run but we get some pretty brutal winds during winter and go into negative digits several times.
Even with the extra vents you're going to install you are going to need more ventilation than what you have. And the cup waterer is going to freeze and shouldn't be kept in the coop dut winter as it is a constant source of moisture that will promote frostbite.
If you have long periods with snow on the ground having a run with a solid roof is a huge asset as it provides a snow free area for them to be outside in.

Jeez we already installed 5 more vents then what the blue prints called for and plan to add 4 more. The blue prints only called for the window which would have to be closed during the winter so I knew we needed more than that.
My original plan was to run venting along both sides and use 1/2 inch hardware cloth to open up large vents, but someone on here said that snow or rain might get in so we decided to cover with vent cover instead. Those come in 16x4 so we put 5 of those on along the roof line.

The water has a heater that drops in it during the winter, but we have not used it yet. It was my understanding that they should be offered water 24/7 . So how do I offer water in the winter if they can’t have water in the coop? The outside water is in a 5 gallon bucket we made and will have a heater as well, but if they decide to hang out in the coop on bad days don't they still need food and water?

 

[Folly's place]

I agree that your coop needs more ventilation! Do a windbreak at least on the north and west sides of the run for winter. We use rolled vinyl sheeting, works fine.
We have waterers in the coop, which is larger than yours, and has more ventilation.
Those vents are great, as long as you replaced the screening with hardware cloth.
Insulation is wonderful, BUT rodents can and will chew right through that paneling, or get into any openings bigger than 1'2", and colonize it. Happened here!!! And we had 1/2" particle board over our wall insulation. When rats moved in, all our wall insulation came out.
Just be aware, and be ready.
Mary

 

[Nodakj]

Very nice coop! You did an eggcellent job ! The run might need some cover if your chickens don't come out of the coop onto the snow. Or maybe some hay over the snow. I am a first year owner myself and debated what i should have ready for winter. Mine is still a work in progress also.