Woods coop: when do I shut the windows

[aart]

My Woods-style coop is 6' wide by 10' deep, and has a small window on one side in addition to the top windows and the front windows. I'm in Massachusetts. Over the past 4 years we eventually block the top and side windows with only after the winter storms begin. We do not ever block the front, and sometimes there is a little snow that comes in, which doesn't seem to bother them or impair my deep litter bedding. While that's not a very precise recommendation, it's my anecdote that you can go quite late and be fine.

We did roof the coop with "suntuf" clear corrugated plastic panels to let in additional light and warmth and in winter when I rake the snow off, it does make it much brighter and more pleasant in there.

@wobit Good anecdote!
Do you have pics to post, please?
Does clear roofing overheat coop in summer?

 

[brendave]

The top windows are closed in late fall. Their function is to vent out excessive heat in summer. Never seen a Woods coop with side windows. I'd close those to prevent draft. The complete open front provides enough passive ventilation in winter.

That's what the design is all about. Deep enough to not have moving air back of coop where roosts are. South facing so top windows provide solar gain in winter and are full open summer to create chimney effect - forces air up and out keeping coop cool.

I built my coop using Wood's plans with adjustments made for changes in dimensional lumber size and for the windows I had available. The south side window is across from the door and the North side window is next to the door.

 

[brendave]

My Woods-style coop is 6' wide by 10' deep, and has a small window on one side in addition to the top windows and the front windows. I'm in Massachusetts. Over the past 4 years we eventually block the top and side windows with only after the winter storms begin. We do not ever block the front, and sometimes there is a little snow that comes in, which doesn't seem to bother them or impair my deep litter bedding. While that's not a very precise recommendation, it's my anecdote that you can go quite late and be fine.

We did roof the coop with "suntuf" clear corrugated plastic panels to let in additional light and warmth and in winter when I rake the snow off, it does make it much brighter and more pleasant in there.

So I can wait until the snow flies, then. I've got great southeast sun exposure so I hope that will be enough passive solar gain. Thanks!

 

[Ghosty]

I built a small Woods coop(6x10) for my 5 chickens. We've been getting temps in the low 30s at night here with daytime temps in the 40s and 50s. When do I close the windows? Do I close both the side windows and the monitor windows?

Any advice from Woods coop owner's appreciated!View attachment 1567056 View attachment 1567056

Nice coop!

 

[Howard E]

As others have said, you open the top monitor and side windows to vent the house during summer when heat gain is greatest. First to close would be top montors and eventually close up the side windows when temps drop low enough to create chill when the wind blows. That would start to matter with night temps in the 30's or 40's on a windy night.

We have had a few nights of frost, but having some daytime temps in the 60's, low 70's. I have top closed, one side closed, one open. Once both side windows are closed, air in the back goes calm......but house continues to vent.

I closed the one side window during a spell of rainy weather to keep rain from blowing in, and just never opened it back up.

But even if I did close both side windows to calm things down, it doesn't get hot enough during the day now to stress the birds, so I could close it all up now with no harm to them.

 

[brendave]

Nice coop!

Thanks!