open air coop in cold climates?

[Chick_a_dee]

LOL that would never happen here. It wouldn't work at our house at all, when we can get down to -35 and live on a hill the chickens would be dead in a matter of days.

Really, it's not practical for cold weather living.

 

[rooster0209]

I open my coop and let the chickens & guineas out, as long as there isnt a strong wind blowing in the doors. They fly up and sit on the 2x4'x across the top of the run, its a 4' fence.

Yesterday the birds were out scratching thru the snow to the bare frozen ground. Looks like they did a good job of it too. I have two large bald areas, but oh well, it looked like they were enjoying themselves. It was 15 or so yesterday with little to no wind and sunshine.

They need the fresh air and sunshine. If its not too windy or the direction of the wind isnt blowing in the coop, I say...let em out.

 

[Beekissed]

Chica-z, I don't know why you couldn't have a heavy tarp across your opening during the winter and roll it up in the spring and summer for more of an "open air" feeling. One could even build a wall of hay bales covered with a tarp for that third wall in the winter....insulation and additional hay storage!

 

[onthespot]

a strong windy storm will turn that heavy tarp into a multiple tailed snapping whip in a bad storm. One good gust will rip the grommets out and at worst cause a tremendous deadly flapping sheet that would knock a horse down if it was in the way. Tarps are not made to stop heavy wind on their own. If you wanted something made for that I would custom order from a sail maker or something like that, with VERY heavy anchor points and hardware.

 

[chica-z]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I appreciate the feedback and the opportunity to learn.

Let's remember in this theoretical situation that they WOULD have 3 (or even 3.5 if you put up some haybales to block a little more wind out of the opening) fully insulated walls, access to nonfrozen water, and free choice food. How many of the wild birds die not so much from the cold as from a lack of food to keep their body temps up?

And how many of our birds are getting sick from lack of ventilation? I currently have my eye on one of my birds that seem to have the sneezes-no other symptoms, but it has me a bit concerned. After I get done here, I'm off to research what to do about that little situation. I know, I know, ya'll are yelling at your computers, "ISOLATE, ISOLATE!!"

I do agree, Woodlandwoman that it doesn't have to be extreme, either open or closed. Good point! By the way, what part of Wisconsin are you in? You getting this crummy ice storm too?

 

[waynesgarden]

Woodland woman is correct. As his website says: "Our farm is in Oregon's Coast Range, which has a mild climate that allows our free-range hens to maintain an outdoor lifestyle year-round, even during rare winter snow, as shown in the photo."

His system and advice is irrelevant to anyone living in a cold climate. Ignore it.

Wayne

 

[Madfarmer]

Plamondon is located in Oregon's Coast Range mountains. Although they COULD get to zero, it's rare. I'll bet you THIS winter, he's closed up his coops at least once.

Madfarmer

 

[patandchickens]

The first person I met who had chickens up here in canada lived about 15 minutes from me (so, winter lows around minus 20-25 F). Her hens lived in an old-timey coop with an open wire front. SHe covered it in heavy duty plastic sheeting for the winter (ok in a low-wind area; would have to be crossed with battens, or use plexiglas instead, in a windy site). They did FINE. Good coop design, IMO.

I can't imagine keeping chickens (chickens with combs and wattles, anyhow) in this sort of climate without covering the open side in winter, though.

JME,

Pat

 

[KrisRose]

The winds here usually come out of the west so that's why my horse's overhang (on the side of the barn) is on the east side. If I build an open air coop that is how I would set up the structure, open side on the east. Most storm fronts are rotational and the last blizzard we had came out of the east and dumped at least 8 inches of snow. It would have blown right into an open sided coop. Therefore, not recommended.
Also, fresh air is good, but I have yet to lose a chicken because they are in a four sided coop.

 

[CityChook]

Boy, I wouldn't do it...