Pop door and coop questions

[gptraveler]

We are in zone 5 western Mass and have cold winters. Our coop is an old converted gazebo with storm windows. It's a hexagon so 5 double hung storm windows and a storm door, lots of glass. It also has a tall peaked ceiling like 9-10 feet. We leave one of the windows open all the time and it leads out to the run. Now that winter and frigid temps are here, we need to find a way to keep the drafts out. The 6 brahmas are out of the coop and in the run or yard unless they're in the nesting box inside. I plan to make a pop door in the window with some galvanized metal and a pulley system over to the storm door. They free range when I'm home. I am concerned about whether or not the hens will be too cold in low temps. What can I expect for cold tolerance? Right now, they are molting like mad! Attached picture has the open storm door on the left and open storm window to the run on the right. Sorry for the glare.

 

[Alaskan]

We are in zone 5 western Mass and have cold winters. Our coop is an old converted gazebo with storm windows. It's a hexagon so 5 double hung storm windows and a storm door, lots of glass. It also has a tall peaked ceiling like 9-10 feet. We leave one of the windows open all the time and it leads out to the run. Now that winter and frigid temps are here, we need to find a way to keep the drafts out. The 6 brahmas are out of the coop and in the run or yard unless they're in the nesting box inside. I plan to make a pop door in the window with some galvanized metal and a pulley system over to the storm door. They free range when I'm home. I am concerned about whether or not the hens will be too cold in low temps. What can I expect for cold tolerance? Right now, they are molting like mad! Attached picture has the open storm door on the left and open storm window to the run on the right. Sorry for the glare. View attachment 2396704

What ventilation do you have?

As long as the run is predator proof, I see no reason to close up that one window...

 

[aart]

Right now, they are molting like mad!

How old are they, in months?

Pics of all around whole setup from outside, please?

 

[DaisyG2317]

Just remember, wild birds live 24/7 outside even in subzero temps. As long as there is adequate ventilation and not a draft blowing on your chickens they will be just fine

 

[gptraveler]

What ventilation do you have?
As long as the run is predator proof, I see no reason to close up that one window...

Alaskan,
Thanks for the reply. The ventilation is gaping holes along the top of the old walls which are about 6-7 feet above the floor. I actually want to close those gaps up with some wood pieces covering the gaps. In general the whole place leaks but direct open drafts are what I want to seal up. The open window is right next to one of the roosts and they have not been using that one yet. It still smells like new wood and it took a while for them to get used to the first roost. The run seems predator proof. We attached hardware cloth to the bottom boards of the run and extended them out about 18" under ground. Digging predators have been stopped by it all summer.

 

[Alaskan]

Alaskan,
Thanks for the reply. The ventilation is gaping holes along the top of the old walls which are about 6-7 feet above the floor. I actually want to close those gaps up with some wood pieces covering the gaps. In general the whole place leaks but direct open drafts are what I want to seal up. The open window is right next to one of the roosts and they have not been using that one yet. It still smells like new wood and it took a while for them to get used to the first roost. The run seems predator proof. We attached hardware cloth to the bottom boards of the run and extended them out about 18" under ground. Digging predators have been stopped by it all summer.

Hummmm

Not sure how much ventilation you are describing...

What is the rule of thumb? One square foot of vent per bird?

 

[AllenK RGV]

I would only close those gaps up with hardware cloth. Mature chicken should have no problem in a breeze and I have ones that roost in the trees even for hurricanes(hanna dropped 12+ inches and gusts near 70mph here Peggy Sue rode it out in her tree). Weather isn't much of an issue unless they are wet have large combs and exposed to frostbite conditions. And even then they usually only lose that large comb. If a possum or mink type animal can get in via the gaps you describe that is a bigger life threat than temperature.

As an aside I thought my cat was retired, but I guess possum are getting rare in our yard, but he gave me a tiny one yesterday:

 

[gptraveler]

Good food for thought from everyone. Thanks again. I am more assured about the weather tolerance now. In the winter with snow on the ground, they may not be free ranging I suspect, so their fresh air will be limited to the run. If the window is open all day and closed for the night, is it likely that moisture will still be a problem?

 

[aart]

Good food for thought from everyone. Thanks again. I am more assured about the weather tolerance now. In the winter with snow on the ground, they may not be free ranging I suspect, so their fresh air will be limited to the run. If the window is open all day and closed for the night, is it likely that moisture will still be a problem?

Pics of all around whole setup from outside, please?