Snap Lock Large

[KDM1966]

To start off, I am new to having chickens. Before getting our 9 hens, (3 BR, 2BO, 2 EE, 1 RIR, 1 LH) we did a lot of research on runs, coops, taking care of our girls and so on. We brought them home in June and have been in with them every since. For us, they are pets and we do our best to provide everything they could want and need. So this is my issue...we bought a large snap lock coop and have it secured and attached to a 8x16 run that their coop door goes into. Today I noticed frost inside the coop and panicked. Girls are fine, healthy and not frost bite. The coop is cleaned every morning, theres no wet bedding but I had the vents 1/2 closed because Im afraid they will get a draft from being on the top of the roosting area. We are replacing the coop in the spring so I have to make due with this for this winter and we live in Ohio where it rains a lot but winters can be brutal. Can anyone give me some suggestions on what to do to keep them safe/healthy from moisture and frost bite until the new coop is built this coming spring. My husband says to keep the vent all open not matter what the temp is...I am a city girl (now live in country) and have never had an outside pet and worry about the bitter cold. Last night the temps got into the single digits but the weather for the last week has been rain and the ground is still saturate with water. Any suggestions helping me get through this winter would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Folly's place]

Also watch for excess humidity in your run. If it's a problem, open the plastic wrap further down on the leeward side, for more fresh air. Any new set-up takes time to learn, and don't be afraid to 'fine tune' it as needed.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

It's an underventilated cave, maybe okay for three if ventilation is increased a lot. If you upgrade your predator defences, and have a roof suitable for your snow load, at least part of your run can become the coop, a much better option for this winter.
That means dig proof and no openings larger than 1/2" diameter, and very good latches.
The door into the run area looks like it has gaps around it wider than 1/2", so more framing there.
Mary

 

[KDM1966]

It's an underventilated cave, maybe okay for three if ventilation is increased a lot. If you upgrade your predator defences, and have a roof suitable for your snow load, at least part of your run can become the coop, a much better option for this winter.
That means dig proof and no openings larger than 1/2" diameter, and very good latches.
The door into the run area looks like it has gaps around it wider than 1/2", so more framing there.
Mary

The roof is part the same steel as the run, we added the corrugated roof to keep rain out. It’s pretty sturdy Nothing larger than 1/2 gap or opening. Im pretty OCD and carry my quarter to check often.

 

[123RedBeard]

I agree too small for that many chickens ... 3-4 maybe ...

I also agree with leave door to run open, or make hardware cloth screen door to replace it, and leave the factory vents open all the way ...

 

[KDM1966]

I must say that all the wonderful feedback you veteran chicken keepers have been giving me is amazing and I truly appreciated all of it. I found this forum too late and the coop was already purchased and so misleading (Snap Lock IMO) but thats why I kept looking for more info because it didn’t seem right. So glad I found you. My husband (being an amazing fabricator) took the door off and cut a hole in it and is installing a vent. Pictures will follow sometime soon. I am hoping this will at least get us thru until spring. I will keep this in mind along with all other suggestions while ours get built. @aart They need a dry environment, not a warm one, The entire time thinking wet from rain not wet from what the chickens give off & really open my eyes.
We all thank you

 

[rosemarythyme]

You want to keep as much ventilation open as possible however I'm not sure where the ventilation is in relation to the roosts, and how the wind/breezes interact with those vents. So that's something you need to look at. If push comes to shove you can see if there's a way to add a buffer by angling a piece of cardboard (all else failing) or plywood to ward off direct wind blasts into the roost area.

I have 95% of my ventilation facing away from my prevailing wind direction (and anything facing that direction is louvered), so even in a windstorm everything can stay open, but that takes preplanning that isn't going to be available in a premade coop.

 

[aart]

Please post pics of your coop and run, inside and out.
Some dimensions would help too.
Can't think of a snaplock that will fit 9 birds.

 

[KDM1966]

Thanks for your comments all, I will post some pics of our coop and run tomorrow when it gets light. The problem with the Snap Lock information (all different depending on what website you are on) is they say anywhere from 8 to 15 birds. The coop does not have a lot of space in it but theres 3 roost and really they only use 2 of them. They are only in it to sleep and to lay eggs. We thought we did our due diligence on the coop not wanting to invest a ton until we knew it was something wanted to do long term. But we were wrong and the coop really is not what I would call cheap to buy. With what we spent on it we could have had someone make us a larger one that fits them better.
Thats why we are having a new coop built this spring. Thanks again, any suggestions are greatly appreciated to get us thru this winter.

 

[aart]

The problem with the Snap Lock information (all different depending on what website you are on) is they say anywhere from 8 to 15 birds.

True of all the prefabs/kits.
Usually about half the minimum they show is more accurate.
Looking forward to seeing your coop and run.