Winterize coop questions

[RootedTogetherHomestead]

So, colder days are slowly creeping up, and we are preparing to winterize the coop. We live in NE OH, where winters can get pretty cold. A few questions I have. The entire henhouse is made from medium-thickness plywood, and around the edges of windows/doors has a slight lip to prevent drafts..

How much ventilation does the henhouse need? And, how can we better insulate the henhouse for those really cold nights? Could I use our RentACoop brooder plate for them, like set it up on the side? I am including pictures of the henhouse; the entire roof/wall portion has gaps as seen. The one picture was from over the summer without windows, but the other shows the windows. TIA!

 

[Mrs. K]

Where does your prevailing wind come from? You want to block off the wind from that side, and leave the rest open.

Do not think warm, think dry. Dry birds away from the prevailing wind are warm birds. Ventilation keeps birds and the coop dryer. If you can keep your birds, like that, mine have lived and been fine with - 35 degrees. I worried, but they were fine.

So, I would not add the heater, I would block of the north and west here in SD, as that is where my prevailing wind comes from.

Mrs K