Winter temp for open air coop?

[LisaRN]

What temperatures do you think are acceptable open air coop? We live in central California, summer temps are over 100 degrees, during the winter the highs range from 50s-60s and lows mid 30s-40s. The chickens have been sleeping on roosts in the enclosed run that has a small attached coop...during the summer they didnt go into the coop at all. Do I need to be concerned about them getting too cold in the winter if they don't want to go into the coop? Then run has hardware cloth on all sides and metal roof.

 

[Aapomp831]

You shouldn’t have to worry at all with those temperatures.

 

[Mrs. K]

No worries at all with those temperatures.

 

[aart]

No worries at all with those temperatures.

x3...as long as they are dry and can roost out of direct winds if they wish.

 

[Duckduckgoosie]

What if it gets into the 20s?

I’m in central Texas, prepping my coop for 5 hens. Roost area is enclosed on three sides and I’m wrapping the north side in front plastic tomorrow I think. Tomorrow’s high is 80s, low is 30. Gotta love Texas weather Sunday’s low is upper 20s. Tin roof, very high ceiling about 2/3 just open w hardware cloth.

 

[Duckduckgoosie]

 

[saysfaa]

What if it gets into the 20s?

I’m in central Texas, prepping my coop for 5 hens. Roost area is enclosed on three sides and I’m wrapping the north side in front plastic tomorrow I think. Tomorrow’s high is 80s, low is 30. Gotta love Texas weather Sunday’s low is upper 20s. Tin roof, very high ceiling about 2/3 just open w hardware cloth.

No worries at all, as long as rain hasn't blown in sideways and soaked them as it dropped to those temperatures. I can't see how wide the eaves in the back are. I would put the plastic across the biggest back opening if I did it at all (probably wouldn't). The air will still exchange enough to move the moisture out because the front is completely open.

The smaller openings in the back also allow some airflow - they aren't necessary if the width to depth proportions are right but shouldn't hurt as high and as small as they are. Whatever you cover, you can check for too much airflow over the chickens as they roost; if it ruffles feathers open then it is too much. You don't have to wait for them to roost - you can use a ribbon to guestimate. I don't think you will find it too much airflow.

Cold is much easier for hens to deal with than heat and much easier for them than for us, too, feathers are very effective insulation especially when they fluff them out.

It looks like the ideal coop design for your climate.

 

[gtaus]

What if it gets into the 20s?

It's a matter of perspective, I suppose. I live in northern Minnesota and tonight we are expecting a low of -30F, currently at -26F. When I see temps in the +20s F, I'm thinking early spring!

Cold is much easier for hens to deal with than heat and much easier for them than for us, too, feathers are very effective insulation especially when they fluff them out.

Yes, my girls look almost twice their size in the winter than in summer. Draft free ventilation is the key where I live. You don't want a draft coming up from underneath your roosting chickens as that will take away their ability to trap warm air against their bodies with their feathers all fluffed up.

 

[3KillerBs]

Mine have been fine in those temperatures overnight so far.

If we get a storm with winds forecast to blow into the open end I will put a tarp over part of that wall to block the wind, but otherwise I trust in their feathers and their acclimation.

My coop:

 

[Duckduckgoosie]

I wish mine had more covered depth, the roost bar is over a shelf, covered on three sides, but a depth of just 3 feet, and that is the east side.

I found it used when lumber was super expensive and at the time we had ducks for six months over summer but now this is me outfitting it for a few laying hens my friend is giving me. I did cover the open area under the shelf previously as that did give the ducks some cover out of the wind if needed but I didn’t have them during winter.

I’m nervous about the cold (my chicken friend thinks I need to wrap the whole coop?) but we really don’t know how to do winter down here. In the freeze we had last Feb- lost powers for 5 days- people were putting chickens in their houses inside camping tents. It did get down in the teens but that’s not typical here.