Shutting the coop in the rain

[kkapotsy]

I just moved my flock from brooder to coop. First threat of rain since then is today. This morning j went out and shut one iwndow and left the other cracked, hoping to prevent water from getting in. Not sure if I should not do that?

Do you guys shut the coop up for rain or just leave it open to the elements?

 

[kkapotsy]

Pic of the two windows of the coop (you can see the second through the window)

 

[Pork Pie]

I always leave access to the coop open during the daytime - if the flock want to go out and about - they can (and always do).

CT

 

[kkapotsy]

The door from coop to run is shut. I haven't given them the option to go out yet, was going to today but the rain makes me hold off.... I'm just wondering about the windows that I closed/cracked to try to keep rain out.

 

[Pork Pie]

Ventilation is essential, so I'd say leave the windows open. If rain gets in, then maybe you may wish to consider deeper overhangs on the roof, or building additional ventilation provisions on the sides out of the prevailing weather.

CT

 

[Ridgerunner]

Some of it depends on your coop. I leave my one window open in the summer plus I have a lot of other ventilation up high that is open year around. Some of that higher ventilation does not have any overhang or rain protection, but it and the window are both on the side that seldom gets rain or snow. On occasions rain or snow does blow in.

I have a dirt floor and I use wood shavings as litter. When it gets wet it doesn’t take that long for it to dry out, mainly due to good ventilation. I’m kind slow opening it up most mornings too so they tend to scratch it up pretty well while they are waiting on me. Sometimes there are benefits to being lazy.

I don’t know how yours is set up inside, how fast it will dry out if it gets wet, or how much harm some wet will do. It is generally unhealthy for the coop to stay wet for very long plus coops tend to really stink if they stay wet for very long. I’d try to keep it as dry as you can but slight moisture isn’t the problem. Wet is the real problem.

There might be some trial and error involved for you since each of us have unique situations, but you might want to consider awnings or shutters to help keep rain out. Permanent ventilation up high, especially under overhangs, is usually a very good thing. If you know which way the wind is going to be blowing you can close the window on that side, but sometime you don’t win that guessing game or have enough warning.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

The pop door to the run opens everyday no matter the weather. The run is covered so they usually go out rain or shine, it's up to them. We have awning windows so it doesn't rain into the coop. In the winter we usually close the north window leaving the south window open. There is also ventilation near the roof which is never closed.