Uninsulated coop in northern areas

[juls_farm]

We are in Northern NJ as well, and we did not insulate our chicken tractor. The girls (RIRs and BCMs) were 3-4 months old when moved to the tractor last October. They did just fine. Because the tractor had lots of windows covered with mesh, I covered most of the openings with heavy clear plastic. I left small windows near the roof open for ventilation. I also put plywood on the mesh floor and used deep-litter method.
While we are much warmer than VT, we had some very cold spells last winter, and the girls did just fine!
This year, I am installing clear greenhouse panels instead of plastic, as shutters/storm windows (THANK YOU, BYC folks, for this idea!!).
Chickens love being outside, even in the cold. There is 20 degrees now, and my 1.5 mo-olds are outside scratching.

 

[Cryss]

Here's an idea for your windy pop door! Check the second picture.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/nardole-the-brave.1273623/page-7#post-21152737

 

[gtaus]

Is there a way to baffle the pop door?

Would you please explain this a little more? I have a pop door on my coop but really don't understand what you mean by a baffle. My pop door opens directly out to the chicken run. Thanks.

 

[Cryss]

Would you please explain this a little more? I have a pop door on my coop but really don't understand what you mean by a baffle. My pop door opens directly out to the chicken run. Thanks.

Yeah, I want very clear, my apologies.
I'm going to start with a vent as an example because I have used this type of baffle over vent openings. Those vents were like small windows along the wall under the roof.

A baffle in this case covers an opening but does not close it. Example of an open vent baffle would be a framework around the top and sides with the side pieces extending a few inches longer at the bottom but nothing framing the bottom of the opening. The framework in this case could be 2x4. A piece of plywood or plexiglass or some similar material would be attached to the 3 sided frame. This would create a 2 inch gap at the bottom allowing air to flow but since the plywood covers it no draft can blow directly in the open window.

Because your coop is raised I think you could adapt this to the pop door. If you look at the link in my post #12 I'm imagining covering the pop door area in the same manner but at the far end (the end where the photographer is taking the picture from) have another wall but not all the way down to the ground, leaving the bottom open enough for a chicken to pass through. Maybe make it removable for your access to the pop door and for summer weather.

Yeah, I tend to overthink things. But if it gives you an idea, a better one, good. Brainstorming is usually productive.

 

[aart]

Here is a picture of the coop this morning

Pics of inside coop showing ventilation(light should be shining thru them) would help here. You have no run?
Definitely needs a heater to keep water thawed,
or swap out a few times a day and have a bowl of snow in the coop as back up.

Would you please explain this a little more?

She baffled ya, eh?

If you look at the link in my post #12

Is the baffle you mean to show in that second pic the partially shut pop door or the plastic covered run?

Here's my pop door 'baffle' , I call it the Glass Foyer.
Basically the window panels and metal awning blocks the west wind(wicked here).

 

[cavemanrich]

Really nice coop

I would add some vents in area in red pencil. (also on opposite side) Since you do not have much overhang to keep out rain and snow, I suggest something with louvers.

I also don't think the small gaps created by your boards drying are sufficiently large to allow for drafts. SLOW AIR MOVEMENT IS VENTILATION,,, As long as chickens feathers are not ruffled by that air movement,,, it is fine.
You may need to peek inside coop during HIGH WINDS to make that determination.

really don't understand what you mean by a baffle

A baffle is something that stops direct wind from blowing in. This is a common solution and practical one as well.

A baffle would be straw bales placed away from coop, so they would be blocking direct wind from entering pop door.

 

[gtaus]

A baffle is something that stops direct wind from blowing in. This is a common solution and practical one as well.

Thanks. Got it.

 

[Cryss]

She baffled ya, eh?

Yes, I am the Mistress of Baffledom.

Is the baffle you mean to show in that second pic the partially shut pop door or the plastic covered run?

Um...yeeaaahh
But it works the same

 

[Kylacat]

I wished we had put the chicken door on the other side of the coop so it wouldn’t get the winter wind but it wasn’t something I thought of in July. I was mostly thinking about watching the chicken parade from my kitchen window when my daughter lets them out in the morning. I will try to figure out how we can block the wind with some sort of baffle this winter.
We are hoping to make some adjustments this weekend. I am going to add plywood inside the coop on the wall to block the draft. We will also rearrange the roosting bars because they are too close I think and I want to add a poop board under them. I am also going to block the roof a bit because I didn’t realize the chickens would roost that high and it is just becoming too messy.
Hopefully this picture will show you all what I am working with a bit.

 

[Trevorusn]

I have sand in my coop, and while my chooks seem pretty good, their water keeps freezing so may have to go the heated waterer/base route. Not a fan of electrics in the coop but at least sand reduces hazard risk vs. pine or paper shreddings or straw. Southern NH is also getting rather brisk right now, much earlier than normal.