Winter preparedness

[irlybird]

hello
This is our first winter with 15 hens and I want to ensure my ventilation, warmth etc is setting us up for success.

We are in BC, Canada and winter can get to -30 for some short spells. Otherwise -10 to -20 is more often.

I took pictures to show were or roosts are and where the chickens roost vs where we have the window open.

Our 8x10 coop is insulated. We have a warm water de-icer that our 5 gal waterer sits on.

I didn’t take pictures of the run but it’s a 10x16 covered run. I think we will cover 2 sides of the galvanized fencing with poly to eliminate snow coming in and

Please let me know if I’m missing anything.

 

[aart]

Only vents are those windows?
God to have something up high...soffit and/or gable and/or ridge vents.
Pis of ceiling of coop and outside of coop and run would help.

 

[Alaskan]

Are those temps you posted in Celcius?

I had the darndest time keeping things in the coop "nice" when I had a setup like yours.

With the windows at perch level you really are darned if you do and darned if you don't. The window just a bit cracked isn't enough ventilation, and it is right at the perches, so a horrid spot.

It is much nicer if you can punch a huge hole up above the perches on one wall that has protection from rain and snow. So a hole like one foot tall and 8 feet wide.

Up on only one wall will be perfect for winter, since then hopefully no wind will blow through the coop.

If you have hot summers you will want a matching hole on the opposite side that you can close up when it is cold.

Those windows are perfectly placed for solar gain for the girls.

 

[Ridgerunner]

@Alaskan have you considered linking your article in your signature? I think it is a good one and could help the OP.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

@irlybird you don't want a cold wind hitting your birds but you need enough ventilation to exchange good air for bad. There are two potential things that can make air bad. One is ammonia which is produced when poop breaks down, rots, composts, whatever term you want to use. That's going to happen when poop stays wet for a few days, it takes a while for the anaerobic microbes to set up. If the poop is frozen solid that won't happen until the thaw. Since ammonia is lighter than air, if you have an opening above heir heads gravity will force the ammonia out. If it builds up it will stink. Stink is not good.

The other problem is moisture. You live in a cold climate and know not to walk around outside wet. If the air inside the coop is moist that can lead to frostbite. Moisture can come from their breathing, their poop before it freezes, or thawed water. Warm air rises and holds more moisture than cold air. Even in your temperatures (whether C or F, that is getting cold) warm air rising can make a difference. That's part of the why they both mentioned openings up high. If your coop is tall enough openings high enough above the roosts so breezes don't hit them are good.

 

[Acre4Me]

@irlybird, nice coop!

agree with others that there needs to be ventilation above the birds head in winter. The windows are great for light and for summer ventilation. Where are they placed in relation to the prevailing winter winds? If they are protected from the winds, you might be ok, although you will still want to add some upper ventilation eventually.

some upper ventilation can be a roof vent, many styles: https://www.homestratosphere.com/types-of-roof-vents/. Some just vent, some will actively move air up and out due to wind power/heat rising, some use a motor. And don’t forget good old gable vents.

we have a coop with a single slant roof. We put up walls to a certain height, creating a straight wall height. This leaves a triangular open area between the roof line, and the wall. This is covered with HWC. In the winter we can add covers for these side triangular vents. When these are closed up, there is still ventilation under the eaves on both upper and lower ends of the roof. Each coop is different, so it is just a matter of finding what works for yours.

Good luck and enjoy your chickens!!