Winterizing the Coop

[JacinLarkwell]

We made the windows on our first coop to where they stayed slightly open even when closed (they hang down, so there is a gap at the bottom). It blocks the wind for the most part but still has a way for the air to move around and out

 

[Sally PB]

@Dandaman1017, in your first picture, those openings that you sealed up last year are perfect for high ventilation. Cover them with hardware cloth* to prevent any critters getting in. Warm, moist, ammonia-laden air will rise and escape, which is just what you want it to do.

*Whenever someone talks about "open" ventilation, it's understood to be covered with something to keep critters/predators out. 1/2" hardware cloth is ideal, and is what most people use.

 

[Dandaman1017]

@Dandaman1017, in your first picture, those openings that you sealed up last year are perfect for high ventilation. Cover them with hardware cloth* to prevent any critters getting in. Warm, moist, ammonia-laden air will rise and escape, which is just what you want it to do.

*Whenever someone talks about "open" ventilation, it's understood to be covered with something to keep critters/predators out. 1/2" hardware cloth is ideal, and is what most people use.

Wonderful!! Thanks for the advice! Luckily I still have some leftover from when I built the coop. I never thought about that considering how high up it is and how hard it would be for something to get it. But I guess if there's a will, there's a way!

 

[bruceha2000]

Chickens handle dry cold well -- at least down to 0F

Oh, a WARM day here in January

We also get down to -20°F and I've never had a chicken have problems with that. Including the 2 Cubalaya which are in NO WAY considered to be a cold hearty breed. All puffed up in the winter they were the size of the larger breed birds in the summer.

Luckily I still have some leftover from when I built the coop. I never thought about that considering how high up it is and how hard it would be for something to get it.

Glad to hear it. With those top openings not covered with 1/2" hardware cloth you risk a stoat (ie winter coat on a small weasel) getting in and killing the entire flock. They are little vampires, bite the neck, drink the blood, move on to the next bird. A neighbor that raises and sells processed meat birds lost most of her flock in one night to a stoat last spring.

The openings MIGHT even be big enough for a raccoon to squeeze in. They will typically eat the head, neck and crop, leave the rest and go to the next bird.

And like with a lot of predators, you may never even know they are around until they take out your flock.

 

[Dandaman1017]

Oh, a WARM day here in January

We also get down to -20°F and I've never had a chicken have problems with that. Including the 2 Cubalaya which are in NO WAY considered to be a cold hearty breed. All puffed up in the winter they were the size of the larger breed birds in the summer.


Glad to hear it. With those top openings not covered with 1/2" hardware cloth you risk a stoat (ie winter coat on a small weasel) getting in and killing the entire flock. They are little vampires, bite the neck, drink the blood, move on to the next bird. A neighbor that raises and sells processed meat birds lost most of her flock in one night to a stoat last spring.

The openings MIGHT even be big enough for a raccoon to squeeze in. They will typically eat the head, neck and crop, leave the rest and go to the next bird.

And like with a lot of predators, you may never even know they are around until they take out your flock.

Well I know what I'm doing this weekend! Lol

 

[bruceha2000]

Use fence/poultry staples, NOT "Arrow gun" staples. Those can be easily pulled out.

 

[KelseyBoxer]

I had to deal with a stoat getting into my duck pen at night. It went right thru chain link fencing. My husband saw it squeezing out and running away. My ducks (2 of them) did not survive. So, yes we do have small murderous critters that will find a way in.

Ps. Hi from Salem county!

 

[3KillerBs]

Use fence/poultry staples, NOT "Arrow gun" staples. Those can be easily pulled out.

Yes. These:

Or screws with fender washers:

 

[bruceha2000]

It went right thru chain link fencing. My husband saw it squeezing out and running away.

Sorry you had to suffer that.

Probably wasn't even a tight squeeze, those things are little.