Winterizing ... Close coop floor?

[J Rae]

I have roosting bars that sit above a 2x3 foot opening lined with welded wire fencing to allow for droppings to fall outside onto the ground. The coop also has a small horizontal vent opening across the ceiling. I understand the importance of ventilation and certainly at the ceiling level but should I close off the floor opening for winter? I am worried the floor and ceiling openings will cause major heat loss.

 

[barred2rock]

Would the chickens get a draft and chilled with the opening? If not it might help with ventilation and air movement.

 

[J Rae]

Would the chickens get a draft and chilled with the opening? If not it might help with ventilation and air movement.

Not much air seems to push under the coop for a breeze or a chill. If heat escapes high then perhaps not much will be lost from the ground and it will keep feces and moisture out of the coop. Thinking leave it open?!

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

'Holding heat' is not what you want.
Ventilation to allow moist ammonia laden air to escape is what you want.
Air movement strong enough to ruffle feathers(literally),
at roost area is not what you want.

Please post pics of coop inside and out,
and give your location for more viable feedback.

 

[J Rae]

Welcome to BYC!

'Holding heat' is not what you want.
Ventilation to allow moist ammonia laden air to escape is what you want.
Air movement strong enough to ruffle feathers(literally),
at roost area is not what you want.

Please post pics of coop inside and out,
and give your location for more viable feedback.

Thank you for the reply and interest in details for more accurate suggestions. The coop sits on a boat trailer so it’s about 18 inches off the ground. Please let me know if additional pictures are needed!

 

[imnukensc]

My coop is set up similar to yours except my wire opening under the roost is 2' X 5'. I have no intention of blocking off the opening, but I am in SC. (Attached pic was during construction.)

 

[aart]

View attachment 1178212 View attachment 1178211 View attachment 1178207
Thank you for the reply and interest in details for more accurate suggestions. The coop sits on a boat trailer so it’s about 18 inches off the ground. Please let me know if additional pictures are needed!

I suppose if you block off around underneath the coop/trailer, if needed, to block any wind from rushing up under you can leave that floor open....or you could utilize trays in the winter to collect poop, that would block winds.

That opening could be good ventilation, but you still need some up at top of coop. can't quite see in pics what you have there(lower edge soffit looks closed). Slanted shed style roofs offer great opportunity for good ventilation if roof overhangs are of decent size and soffits are open both top and bottom.


What is your climate?
Put your location in your profile, it's easy-then it's always there!

 

[J Rae]

I apologize, I left out the reply for the location. I just updated it to my profile as well, thank you for that I live north of Cincinnati, Ohio.

I do have ventilation open at the corner of the ceiling and roof.

 

[J Rae]

My coop is set up similar to yours except my wire opening under the roost is 2' X 5'. I have no intention of blocking off the opening, but I am in SC. (Attached pic was during construction.)

Thank you for sharing, your coop is structured similar to mine. In SC, what are your average winter low’s? In Cincinnati, Oh they are about 25 degrees in February without wind chill.