Ventilation in sub zero temps.

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I keep my north and west facing ventilation closed up in anything below 0 degrees. When wind chills reach -30 your coop will be ventilated through any cracks around doors or windows or just by that wicked wind blowing through the wall. Watch for frost on your walls in order to know if you need more ventilation.

I personally don't use a heat lamp for various reasons. I also know that there will be some frostbite on combs and potentially toes when it gets that cold without extra heat, but I prefer not to heat.

 

[Beekissed]

For wanting to maintain ventilation in view of high winds, it helps to staple a flap over your vents that keeps direct winds out but still allows passive airflow. Feed sacks are great for that purpose, old towels or burlap also work well.

My winter pop door stays open in all weathers, even teens below zero, but that door also opens into a sheltered area that doesn't allow direct wind to blow into the coop. I have other areas that stay open at all times also, but when the winds shift to blow directly into those areas in extreme cold weather, I'll drape a feed sack there to block the wind.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thank you so much for your responses! My coop is 6X8. It has two windows (on the south side of the coop) directly opposite of the roost which I keep cracked open most of the time. The vent for the coop (on the north side) is behind and above the roost. That side takes the brunt of the brutal cold winds so I've been keeping that closed most of the time because it will blow snow right on them. I have the heat lamp very securely attached to the ceiling, but only use it when temperature dips way below zero. Although I know humidity is a huge issue in the winter, My worry was the wind coming directly into the windows onto the hens. It's fairly common for us to have -20's and sometimes -30 degrees here. What makes it concerning is the wind that comes with it. That wind chill factor is what scares me. I now regret placing the coop in that direction, but too late now! At any rate, they made it through the night and seem to be thriving. Hopefully I can get some pictures up to show you my setup. I'll work on that tomorrow. Thanks again everyone!!!

As long as you can put up some sort of baffle over your windows/vent, you can have the air flow without any wind. The baffle will slow that flow, but it will still happen. Spring is on the way.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I know the frustration of snow, wind and trying to vent.
I ended up getting some couragated plastic sheets at Home Depot. Easy enough to put in baffles with it. I suggest this material as it can make your baffles adjustable.

Edited to add...
This is not the roofing material but more like plastic cardboard.