Ventilation Advice for Winter

[smseverson]

Like many, we have had several days of significantly cold weather. For a first time chicken mama, it's been stressful to say the least. For a number of days, our coop has been averaging -4 to -7 degrees overnight with their run about 6-8 degrees colder. I have read SO much on heating (crazy how there is a 50/50 opinion on this topic!) and was ok with no heat until this obnoxious long spell of bitter cold. Between Christmas and NY, I broke down and got a ceramic reptile bulb (60W) for the coop. To be honest, I can't tell if it's making any difference but after a couple nervous nights about fire, it helps me sleep thinking it does contribute even a little to their comfort.

In this bitter cold, I lock them in at night. Prior to the extreme low temps, the coop door has remained open. They have a nice run that acts like a greenhouse (as high as 20 degrees many days) during the day so that, nor the run, are of zero worry, they are quite happy. Temps are expected to warm back up (heat wave-ish at 11 today!) but I need to address the ventilation. I have noticed comb frostbite on at least 2 of the girls and I'm afraid it will get worse if I can't get it figured out.

Their coop is uninsulated and measures about 4'x8'. The nesting boxes are on the north side - I have those wrapped in cardboard and covered in heavy 6mil plastic until after winter. I did that with the back as well as it's one big door that drops open for cleaning, etc. The run is wrapped with 6 mil plastic with the exception of the door itself, that is much thinner mil to be able to see in. The east side of the run is open on top and bottom. I use several inches of pine shavings for the coop floor and have the nesting boxes and the NW lower roof covered with heavy blankets during the bitter cold.

Each roof has an area below it approximately 2-3" high (covered in hardware cloth) and runs the entire 8' of the coop on both sides. There is a small window (10"x10"?) on the south side and then inside the run, a window on the coop on the west side. Both of these are closed during this cold. The roosting bars inside are level with the bottom of the window - the birds all congregate and sleep right around the window. In spring/summer/fall, it's perfect - in winter, not so much. I have all lower roof openings closed with foam to seal off cold air as it goes level with their roosting area. On the top roof, I have 3/4 of the west side closed off and same with the east side.

Should I insulate - at least the larger areas? Should I open more of the top roof vents? If so, on the end where they roost or opposite? Once it warms up again (soon!), I will leave the coop door open again as I had been doing.


Thoughts? Thanks in advance for any feedback on this. There is so much reading out there but I think with everyone having their own set up, it's really difficult to follow the "one size fits all" rationale. Input/feedback most appreciated.

Stay warm!

 

[Hamiam]

How many birds do you have? @aart is my go to ventilation guy.

 

[smseverson]

We have 6 birds - all cold hardy. (2 Buff Orps, 2 Ply Rocks, 2 RI Reds)

 

[junebuggena]

All of the eave vents should be left open. Your windows do need to be kept closed, since there is no way to block snow from getting blown in through them. You may want to add some louvered vents to the gable.

 

[smseverson]

All of the eave vents should be left open. Your windows do need to be kept closed, since there is no way to block snow from getting blown in through them. You may want to add some louvered vents to the gable.

The window on the west side of the coop is inside the run so no snow would come in there. Do you think just the top vents should all be open? The bottom eve vents are at the roost level so I'm worried about the cold directly on them.

 

[junebuggena]

The window on the west side of the coop is inside the run so no snow would come in there. Do you think just the top vents should all be open? The bottom eve vents are at the roost level so I'm worried about the cold directly on them.

But it's positioned right in front of the roost. That would put your birds in a draft, rather than increasing ventilation. The lower eave vents are positioned in such a way that any air coming in through them is directed up, above roosting level. Louvered vents installed at the peak of the gables will help draw that air upwards and out.

 

[smseverson]

But it's positioned right in front of the roost. That would put your birds in a draft, rather than increasing ventilation. The lower eave vents are positioned in such a way that any air coming in through them is directed up, above roosting level. Louvered vents installed at the peak of the gables will help draw that air upwards and out.

They don't roost on that end of the coop - they roost on the south end by the window, all huddled around it. The west window is on the north end.

 

[KCAmelia]

I’m afraid I’m not sure exactly what to tell you, but I am so glad to see your post today! I was on the verge of writing my own because, as you say, even if you’ve read and thought a lot about it (as I suspect we both have), it can be confusing to apply the general guidelines to your specific situation. Your coop is about the same size as mine. I’m going to go out now to take pictures and will be right back. Barring children interrupting, of course.

I do have one question that may help us both: if the temp in the coop is negative Fahrenheit at night, is it even possible to avoid comb frostbite entirely? You say your BR’s, Orps, and RIR’s are all cold hardy, and I have some of each, too. And nearly every one has comb frostbite after a few nights at 0 and negative 9 F. My brahmas and Easter eggers are fine (hens) though EE Roo has some comb frostbite, too. So I’m on here researching ventilation. But is it possible that there will be frostbite at those temps for those breeds no matter what? It is really hard to convince my husband to add ventilation.

 

[Hamiam]

@Welshies can you advise these 2 members. I saw a post earlier where you mentioned ventilation on your coop & you live up North. Is it possible to prevent frostbite when temps are in the negative range?

 

[Welshies]

Frostbite is fairly easy to prevent. Thanks for tagging me, @Hamiam

• Keep all ventilation except windows open. Windows allow snow to blow in. Drape a blanket over the window to help keep in warmth, as well.
• Keep ventilation up high above the roosts. Ventilation is not the same as drafts. However, if wind does blow in, it will be above their heads.
• If you're having cold feet issues, make their roosts the flat side of 2x4s. They will cover their feet and keep them warm.
• Do not feed them anything that steams or lets off lots of moisture like warm water. If you must provide water in their coop, keep it lukewarm.
• It is advised to let them out in temps of up to -4°F. Even colder, if you want. If it's windy, block the wind or don't let them out. Keep food and water outside the coop if possible.

I live in Canada. We are and have experienced minus forty (40) degrees farehneit (-40°C), and only my rooster and 8 week old chicks have experienced frostbite. How do I reduce frostbite in my coop?
Ventilation. I NEVER shut ventilation. Occasionally we get windy, sideways-snow blizzards, so I'll drap plastic in front of (not over) my vents. If there's frost on the windows, I increase ventilation. During the day when they get let out (-4°F or -20°C and warmer) I open the top half of my dutch door to help get rid of moisture.
My coop is insulated. I have kept a flock in a non insulated coop. If you regularly get temperatures of -4°F or below, I highly suggest investing in double walled insulation for your (current or next) coop. I used this in mine along with fiberglass house insulation and a vapour barrier. I only insulated the walls and roof. So far, only in -30°C to -40°C have my eggs frozen. My coop always stays 2° to 6° warmer than the outside air. It is 6 by 8 feet. I highly suggest insulating.
If you need temporary insulation, you can try:

• Hay bales stacked around the coop, or straw
• Shower curtains or plastic hanging down from any overhangs.
• Bags of shavings stacked around the coop.
• Cover windows with blankets on the inside.

I have only ever provided my birds with a heat lamp when it gets -30°C or below, and even then it's because I have chicks.
Frostbite can be prevented by airing out the coop daily if possible, light coatings of vaseline, and reducing water in the coop. Change bedding or aerate bedding every few days to prevent ammonia. Keep vents open. Don't give them warm or hot water, but lukewarm water. Warm or hot foods steam and cause moisture to build up on their coop.
Here in my cold climate my birds are often cooped up. So my food and water stays inside the coop- but wait. Water allows moisture to build up. What do I do instead? I give them free choice snow. Only once (usually twice) a day do I give them lukewarm water, and usually I try to give it to them outside. It keeps them hydrated, but keeps the coop itself dry. I know snow might sound cruel to someone unfamiliar with the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, but all wild animals eat it, and I still give my birds water daily. However, when they're cooped up I don't want to keep water in the coop 24/7 in -47°C. That would cause serious frostbite.