New Englanders! Much ado about New England!

[ladeefire]

Hi, I am in NH and wondering... do you free range your chickens in the winter? How much ventillation do I need? I have small vents on each side of the coop but they do not seem to do much at all. I have 2 windows as well but they are close to the roost height. we have a Chicken tunnel/ladder and its not covered but it is enclosed with wire, should I put a tarp over that to enable them to get to the yard so the snow doesnt build up too high?
eep

here is a picture of the coop when it was under construction still... the square on the top has a vent with angled slats there and we have had days where we have gone in there and the air was horribly stuffy until we open the windows:

you can see how small the vents are and how the chicken "tube" goes from the door into the pen

 

[cocosandy]

I have a fan that blows outwards from my vent. That is a fantastic coop!!...Beautiful!
When its really stuffy I put a fan inside on a shelf that I have for such dangerous things....
In the winter I keep the outward vent going (very dusty...I have to bring the shop vac out there and vacume the ceiling and fan...) it look slike you could probably add a vent fan there and just turn it on when you think you need it.
How many birds have you got in there?...just curious.
I have 6x8 Amish barn playhouse which is retrofitted to be a coop...and now Ive got an 8x10 victorian Amish playhouse coming that I found on craigslist...that will need more work, but it was only $100...the delivery somewhat more!
I look forward to the day when I can build a really nice barn and coop.
nice work!!

 

[ladeefire]

Quote:
Hi

I have 10 hens in there now but i have 2 in isolation, the coop is 6 x 8 (it doesnt look it i know) so we will be maxed on our chicken capacity once my 2 new girls come out of quarantine. It is a playhouse that my husband used to use as a child.
I am really worried about the ventilation. This will be our first winter. Can't have anyone getting sick and honestly I don't know if they will be able to get outside nor do I know if they will want to!

 

[Baymen Moe]

Hey folks, I posted this in the first egg thread, but in case you don't visit it here it is, my first egg from today.

Bill

 

[Reinbeau]

Awesome, Bill, isn't it fun??

 

[Tony K T]

Quote:
Heat is not neccessary.What's gonna happen if you lose power and they are used to the heat?Your birds will surely die.All you need is to keep the drafts off from them and they will be fine.Birds molt for a reason,just like a dog sheds.They molt their thinner coats for a coat with more down to keep them warm.
Your coop looks great.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[firedove]

My coop stays good in the winter because the whole edge of the roof is a vent, it's even OK when the chickens have to stay inside during the summer because we have a large storm window on the side that is open through the warm months (wire on the inside of the window keeps out critters). I'm going to have to free range my flock during the winter just for lack of space. My flock has easily outgrown my coop so I try to keep them in as little as possible. They technically have enough space (as per law) but really it's not enough for them to be happy when stuck inside. I'll probably keep them in on the coldest days and the worst weather days, but mostly they will be free to come and go as they please. It keeps them happy and when my chickens are happy, I'm happy

 

[chickn]

not sure if your all aware or not but there is a poultry show happening this weekend in deerfield nh here is a link to the thread with more info
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=249573

 

[Poopie]

White Mtns of NH

 

[jafo]

Vermont