Winterizing coop!

[CrestedCream]

Hey everyone. So I’ve kind of hit a wall. This will be my first winter with my girls and I just need a little advice on how to winterize the coop. Like what’s the best way to go about ventilation? I think that’s my biggest concern. There are a few gaps I plan on filling this after noon but once I fill those their definitely won’t be proper ventilation. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Two questions to be able to answer. What breeds are you talking about? What is your location/climate?
I'm in gardening zone 6a. I don't do anything different for winter. Huge windows wide open. These are outdoor animals adaptable to a wide range of climates.
I don't subscribe to the school of thought that wants to prevent drafts.
It gets to the negative teens at night and there are big windows on both east and west walls of buildings so the winter wind can blow right through.
I've lost birds to heat but never to cold.

 

[CrestedCream]

Two questions to be able to answer. What breeds are you talking about? What is your location/climate?
I'm in gardening zone 6a. I don't do anything different for winter. Huge windows wide open. These are outdoor animals adaptable to a wide range of climates.
I don't subscribe to the school of thought that wants to prevent drafts.
It gets to the negative teens at night and there are big windows on both east and west walls of buildings so the winter wind can blow right through.
I've lost birds to heat but never to cold.

I’m in northern Idaho. And I have a silkie a Cochin, blue copper maran a created cream legbar and I have no idea what the other is. It gets to be in the teens here as well but rarely gets below. I’m not necessarily worried about them getting cold I know they’re not stupid.. just ventilation. But I’m definitely not going to leave a huge gap for drafts to come through?

 

[snow5164]

Agreed with above the best use for an old wood building is a chicken coop , we closed it in tight then had to cut holes into the hallway for ventilation.

We have small shed windows that fit between the studs on every wall , they are sliders and we get enough “ventilation “from them .

You will know pretty fast if you don’t have enough our coop smelled like wet laundry or worse a wet dog

Leave the coop door open , or cut holes up by the roof line


A draft is a breeze that you don’t want ,ventilation is an opening for the moist air and smells to get out , that’s why higher up is better ... moist air rises

 

[flyin-lowe]

I don't know about your specific breeds but for my flock my coop remains the same in the summer as the winter. Ventilation is important year round. My flock is cold hardy, my windows stay open year round, vents stay open year around, and my eves are completely open. The last two winters we have had cold snaps in Indiana with temps below zero and wind chills at -20F and colder. Never had a problem. I have my perches located in an area so they don't get direct wind from the open windows. A warmer coop with not much air flow IMHO is worse for the birds then a cold coop with proper ventilation.

 

[jthornton]

What your actually wanting to do let out is the moist air from pooping and breathing, heat is not a concern. Moist air is lighter than dry air and moves upward and that is one reason you want the vents to be higher than the birds.

JT

 

[CrestedCream]

There’s a strip along the side of the coop closest to the roof that’s about an inch thick opening. I’m assuming that will be enough but will add a little vent on the other side for a little more flow. Heating isn’t necessary either is it? Every article and thread I have read says they do more bad than good. Some just say a heated waterer if it’s getting below.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I’m in northern Idaho. And I have a silkie a Cochin, blue copper maran a created cream legbar and I have no idea what the other is. It gets to be in the teens here as well but rarely gets below. I’m not necessarily worried about them getting cold I know they’re not stupid.. just ventilation. But I’m definitely not going to leave a huge gap for drafts to come through?

That sounds good for ventilation but since we have to idea where you are? What the temperatures are ? It’s impossible to say ?
And heat that depends where you live and how extreme your winters are and if you want eggs all winter long .....

????????There are lots of questions needing answers otherwise this advice is just random generic thoughts ??????????

@snow5164 The OP stated they are in Northern Idaho.

@CrestedCream As far as ventilation it is suggested 1sq ft per bird. Its sounds like you have 4 birds? How big of a coop?
Ventilation is different than drafts. You want the birds to be able to get away from the wind, but need the moisture to escape.
A pic of your coop might help.

 

[aart]

A pic of your coop might help.

It certainly would, pics inside and out.

Good discussion:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

 

[CrestedCream]

@snow5164 The OP stated they are in Northern Idaho.

@CrestedCream As far as ventilation it is suggested 1sq ft per bird. Its sounds like you have 4 birds? How big of a coop?
Ventilation is different than drafts. You want the birds to be able to get away from the wind, but need the moisture to escape.
A pic of your coop might help.

I will have to get one later as I’m at work. And I have 5 hens.