what about florida hurricanes,?

[clucknpecker]

Great article about hot weather coops. Open concept works for me, but what to do with 15 chickens when a hurricane is close? We can have real bad weather for days or a week or more. Even tho it doesnt happen often, im concerned about having that many clucks living in the guest bath for so long.

Im working with a wire mesh screened enclosure, aka run, area 8ft x 12 ft, and had planned on an elevated coop 8ft x 4ft, 4ft hi, mostly enclosed, built out of 3/4" pt exterior plywood. Likely safe in a fair storm. But how many sq ft ventilation do i need to keep them comfortable at night? I plan on having a powered fan up hi to exhaust the heat buildup.

Also, if enclosed box, would they sleep outside, and would they know enough to go inside to the nest boxes when necessary?

After build and populated, i can drop my flock to maybe 10, if space is a problem. My neighbor lady has birds too and would love a few more.

I just need some guidance on the coop part. Thanks!

 

[Wrooster]

Great article about hot weather coops. Open concept works for me, but what to do with 15 chickens when a hurricane is close? We can have real bad weather for days or a week or more. Even tho it doesnt happen often, im concerned about having that many clucks living in the guest bath for so long.

Im working with a wire mesh screened enclosure, aka run, area 8ft x 12 ft, and had planned on an elevated coop 8ft x 4ft, 4ft hi, mostly enclosed, built out of 3/4" pt exterior plywood. Likely safe in a fair storm. But how many sq ft ventilation do i need to keep them comfortable at night? I plan on having a powered fan up hi to exhaust the heat buildup.

Also, if enclosed box, would they sleep outside, and would they know enough to go inside to the nest boxes when necessary?

After build and populated, i can drop my flock to maybe 10, if space is a problem. My neighbor lady has birds too and would love a few more.

I just need some guidance on the coop part. Thanks!

I've been in Northern Florida 10 years, been through 3 hurricanes and raised 3 flocks of chickens but the chickens and hurricanes did not overlap. We had a fairly secure enclosed house for the chickens (10-15 of them), attached to a screened run. They returned to the house and roosts at night - no problem. If we had had a hurricane. I would have just shut them in and wished them good luck. There was no fan and, based on other Florida members it was too small (30 sq. ft.), much too tight and insufficiently ventilated. The chickens did not complain but our next coop will be bigger and more open. Note that when you lose power in a hurricane, your fan doesn't work.

Frankly I hadn't thought about hurricanes when I designed the coop we are now building. Thanks for bringing that up.

I think you're asking general questioins, not just about when the wind blows. IMO your coop, like my previous one, sounds too small and too tight for Florida but you should get another opinion. And the most important opinion is your chickens' (although there's a reason our new coop has standing headroom for a human - you might think about that.)

 

[speedy2020]

I've been in Northern Florida 10 years, been through 3 hurricanes and raised 3 flocks of chickens but the chickens and hurricanes did not overlap. We had a fairly secure enclosed house for the chickens (10-15 of them), attached to a screened run. They returned to the house and roosts at night - no problem. If we had had a hurricane. I would have just shut them in and wished them good luck. There was no fan and, based on other Florida members it was too small (30 sq. ft.), much too tight and insufficiently ventilated. The chickens did not complain but our next coop will be bigger and more open. Note that when you lose power in a hurricane, your fan doesn't work.

Frankly I hadn't thought about hurricanes when I designed the coop we are now building. Thanks for bringing that up.

I think you're asking general questioins, not just about when the wind blows. IMO your coop, like my previous one, sounds too small and too tight for Florida but you should get another opinion. And the most important opinion is your chickens' (although there's a reason our new coop has standing headroom for a human - you might think about that.)

We are thinking moving to Florida in the next few years. We are consider Lakeland and Ocala, but not 100% sure. We enjoy fishing and that might be too far. Is big hurricane there?

 

[clucknpecker]

Thanks for feedback.
Im 75, lost much of my young guy strength, having to do this job on my own, so had to rethink logistics of best choice of locations. This one is best even if a bit smaller than other locations. Im building out on flat driveway, then trailering with mower around house to final location.

Size of coop matches 8x12 ft usable space. Made of 4x8 plywood, basically a big, wooden box on its side. Thot was i can lift one side open as an 8x4 ft horiz door for easy access for cleaning and maint., just by reaching in. Also, short means less wind and prying eyes exposure. Currently figuring easiest way to do roof pitch. If open concept ok for 24x7 normal times. I can probly make both 8x4ft sides hinged open, but mesh screened. Until bad weather. Then drop the doors, lock er up.

 

[Wrooster]

Thanks for feedback.

Im 75, lost much of my young guy strength, having to do this job on my own, so had to rethink logistics of best choice of locations. This one is best even if a bit smaller than other locations. Im building out on flat driveway, then trailering with mower around house to final location.


Size of coop matches 8x12 ft usable space. Made of 4x8 plywood, basically a big, wooden box on its side. Thot was i can lift one side open as an 8x4 ft horiz door for easy access for cleaning and maint., just by reaching in. Also, short means less wind and prying eyes exposure. Currently figuring easiest way to do roof pitch. If open concept ok for 24x7 normal times. I can probly make both 8x4ft sides hinged open, but mesh screened. Until bad weather. Then drop the doors, lock er up.

I'm in your age bracket and understand completely. If I had realized all the logistical issues of our project, I might not have started. Among other things, I had to clear some trees before we could drive lumber to where I needed it - I wasn't going to lug 4 x 6's by hand - and the garage and all my tools are 100 yards away. It sounds like you've thought it through and I can't quarrel with it.

We are thinking moving to Florida in the next few years. We are consider Lakeland and Ocala, but not 100% sure. We enjoy fishing and that might be too far. Is big hurricane there?

If you're worried about hurricanes, don't live near the water.

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/historical-hurricanes/
https://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/maps/interactive-map-historical-hurricane-tracks
https://www.climate.gov/maps-data/dataset/historical-hurricane-tracks-gis-map-viewer