Texas Freeze- Open air coop design

[jlpierce45]

Hello all!
Texas weather has turned harsh the past few days, and my open air coop design is not built for this! I have done some improvements to try to prepare, however I am curious if y’all can see something that I am missing, and I may even need to do in addition to what has been done. The chickens are toughing it out so far. I have attached pics of my coop in the warm weather, as well as the improvements that I’ve made for this freezing weather. I am in far South Texas, so this is temporary and may never happen again. This coop is adapted for 90-100 degree temps:

Improvements I have made for this week include shavings and extra plywood for extended wind break.

They are not wanting to go out of the wind break area into the free range yard, very understandable. Is there anything that I am missing? I am worried about the frigid nights temperatures with the open air concept as their body heat will likely dissipate. There are 26 birds in there, 4 of them being bantams. I am also worried about frostbite on my Andalusians as their combs are quite large. I should note that the coop blocks the north wind, they are as draft free as I could make it being open air.
thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[jlpierce45]

I also should add that temps are approximately 20-35 during the day, and down to 10 at night.
thanks!

 

[Gallinarium]

Hello all!
Texas weather has turned harsh the past few days, and my open air coop design is not built for this! I have done some improvements to try to prepare, however I am curious if y’all can see something that I am missing, and I may even need to do in addition to what has been done. The chickens are toughing it out so far. I have attached pics of my coop in the warm weather, as well as the improvements that I’ve made for this freezing weather. I am in far South Texas, so this is temporary and may never happen again. This coop is adapted for 90-100 degree temps:

View attachment 2531079View attachment 2531080

Improvements I have made for this week include shavings and extra plywood for extended wind break.
View attachment 2531081
View attachment 2531082
They are not wanting to go out of the wind break area into the free range yard, very understandable. Is there anything that I am missing? I am worried about the frigid nights temperatures with the open air concept as their body heat will likely dissipate. There are 26 birds in there, 4 of them being bantams. I am also worried about frostbite on my Andalusians as their combs are quite large. I should note that the coop blocks the north wind, they are as draft free as I could make it being open air.
thanks in advance for the advice!

I don't think you have to worry.
For starters, frostbite happens with a combination of cold and moisture buildup. As long as you have proper ventilation, frostbite is unlikely. I'm guessing you'll have proper ventilation in an open-air coop.
Draft free is great, and goes a long way to making them comfortable.
Those temps won't bother them too much, it's getting down to -25 here in Wisconsin, and not even my Leghorns are shivering.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Agree with the above poster. You don't have humidity issues, and the plywood should provide an excellent wind break at ground level. I do not anticipate your chicks having any problems, assuming they are fully feathered, as they look to be.

 

[jlpierce45]

Thanks guys, so they should be fine with only the three sides enclosed?

 

[Gallinarium]

Thanks guys, so they should be fine with only the three sides enclosed?

Yep.

 

[aart]

Thanks guys, so they should be fine with only the three sides enclosed?

As long as the wind isn't howling in to hit them on the roost, yes.

 

[Alaskan]

Thanks guys, so they should be fine with only the three sides enclosed?

I agree with what everyone else said. Looks great.

3 sides wind block is perfect, you do not need any more.

 

[drumstick diva]

Agree also with what everyone else has already said. Welcome to BYC.