Newby in upstate NY

[Gamma]

My name is Karen, I live in upstate NY, and I'm very interested in raising my own chickens . I've been reading and researching all I can . I would like to be able to convert a 8x10 metal shed into a chicken coop. Possibly removing some of the metal panels and replacing with screening of some type. I can only have 6 chicks due to town regulation. I've just started reading on open air coops.I'm thinking I could really merge the two styles.they would have access to the whole shed with an additional run in the future. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated . Thanks in advance!

 

[sourland]

Hi, Karen, welcome to BYC. Open air coops in some climates are great - not sure that the upstate NY winters have the proper climate.

 

[Gamma]

I guess I should have been a little more specific. Three sides would have walls and half of the front ( in the winter time) with screening on the door. Still not enough ??!

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

You shouldn't have wind or snow blowing in on chickens in the winter at night. The breeze will suck the heat right out of them. You might want to ask this question and post drawings in our Coop Construction forums for more help with this. I wouldn't think an open 3 sided coop would work in New York, what with the cold and snow....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance

You also might want to chat with your chicken neighbors in your state thread to see what they think of this coop design...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/2811/any-new-yorkers-out-there

Good luck with the coop build and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2 on posting in the forums TwoCrows suggested.

 

[gander007]

 

[drumstick diva]

This past winter was an horrible one for most parts of the country - my friends in NY agreed.

I really don't think NY is the place for an open sided coop - not even an open sided window. Their
weather was worse than ours - and we broke 30 year records for cold and amount of snow.