Woods Open Air Coop in Record Breaking Cold

[brendave]

I built a 6x10 Woods Coop this summer in the NE corner of my garden, facing SE, to house my 5 pullets, 2 BOs, 1 SLW, and 2 EEs. The last three days has seen record breaking cold in much of the Midwest, including here in Mi where I live. Even with winds up to 30mph and windchills down to -35F, the coop stayed draft free and dry. However, my poor BOs have frostbitten combs. Despite staying draft free with low humidity, the frigid cold caught up with them. My other birds, with pea combs, seem to have weathered the cold without any problems. Here's a pic of the girls peaking out in 10F. A little snow blew in the first 6 inches or so but it hasn't seemed to keep the girls from standing in front of the windows when the sun shines. If anyone is thinking about a Woods Coop this size I highly recommend it.

 

[Alaskan]

Great coop.

 

[Melky]

Not sure if you need this but here is an article on frostbite:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-chickens.74710/
The coop looks nice but probably need to also consider winterizing in winter. Plastic or snow/waterproof tarp over run areas. If thick clear plastic can see out. Cover all windows with plastic. Can tape with packing tape. Leave top vents open but free of drafts. Ok to use heat in coop if fireproof to prevent frostbite. Block drafts from doors. Can hang curtains on inside of closed windows to block drafts. Place wireless sensor in coop to monitor temp and humidity. Can use Vaseline on combs, wattles to also prevent frostbite. Also use waterers that do not drip on wattles. Straw is warm and thicken up in winter. Keep top dressing on run area with straw to keep feet off frozen ground. Large or large single combs you will find will be more at risk for frostbite. Those you want to apply Vaseline to to prevent frostbite before it sets in. I keep heat in my coop when below freezing.

 

[Alaskan]

Not sure if you need this but here is an article on frostbite:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-chickens.74710/
The coop looks nice but probably need to also consider winterizing in winter. Plastic or snow/waterproof tarp over run areas. If thick clear plastic can see out. Cover all windows with plastic. Can tape with packing tape. Leave top vents open but free of drafts. Ok to use heat in coop if fireproof to prevent frostbite. Block drafts from doors. Can hang curtains on inside of closed windows to block drafts. Place wireless sensor in coop to monitor temp and humidity. Can use Vaseline on combs, wattles to also prevent frostbite. Also use waterers that do not drip on wattles. Straw is warm and thicken up in winter. Keep top dressing on run area with straw to keep feet off frozen ground. Large or large single combs you will find will be more at risk for frostbite. Those you want to apply Vaseline to to prevent frostbite before it sets in. I keep heat in my coop when below freezing.

But the point of a Woods coop is that the air doesn't pour through. The huge open front is not a giant wind vortex because that is the only open area in the winter. The top windows open in the summer for a breeze.

As a result there is no need to close anything up.



I do know a lady up in Alaska that uses the Wood's design and if her temps are staying below -20F for a long stretch she will close up the front just a BIT (NOT completely).

 

[Ted Brown]

I am planning to build a Woods coop come spring; have been thinking a 10' by 16' KO style but want less than 10 birds so a 6' by 10' provides the recommended inside space. My climate is harsh during a normal winter, this one has been extra harsh.

I assume you did the math re dimensions to ensure that the "air cushion" is maintained but I wonder if the smaller coop size has contributed to the frost bite? Also notice that you have left your side windows open during the winter, is this a factor (I believe that Woods recommends that they be closed during the winter)?

Alternatively does it boil down to type of bird one chooses?

Thanks.

 

[Alaskan]

I think where it is cold, especially if you have high ambient humidity that there is NO WAY to not have frostbite on single comb birds, or large funky thin comb bits and huge wattles.

If you have long nasty winters,build it BIGGER. You will be worlds happier.

 

[Howard E]

Great report!

My experience was similar, except our temps were only to -10F. Although my freeze proof hydrant is currently "frozen".....or at least not working. Holding my breath to see what happens when the frost goes out of the ground. Point being that has never happened before, so our temps may have been lower than -10F.

Anyway, this is what we had two weeks ago.......

A few days after this was taken, wind was blowing 30 mph from the direction the photo was taken. Right into the open front. Birds by the window had their feathers ruffling, but the wind movement only penetrated to the scratch shed......back part where the roosts are was dead calm.

BTW, this one is 8' x 12'. Good for up to 24 birds. The 23 in there now stayed in for a week with no issues. A dozen birds in this could ride out a long nasty spell of winter with no concerns.

 

[Howard E]

What makes these work (kills the wind) is the Woods house is a rectangle, with the open side being the narrow end. I have a shed on a nearby barn that does the same. About 12' wide and 36' deep. Wind....no matter how hard is is blowing, never penetrates more than a few feet. Past that.....dead calm.

OTOH, shed on the other side is the reverse. Long side is open. That is the cold, drafty and snow penetrates all the way to the back. The exact opposite of what you want.

 

[Melky]

I am planning to build a Woods coop come spring; have been thinking a 10' by 16' KO style but want less than 10 birds so a 6' by 10' provides the recommended inside space. My climate is harsh during a normal winter, this one has been extra harsh.

I assume you did the math re dimensions to ensure that the "air cushion" is maintained but I wonder if the smaller coop size has contributed to the frost bite? Also notice that you have left your side windows open during the winter, is this a factor (I believe that Woods recommends that they be closed during the winter)?

Alternatively does it boil down to type of bird one chooses?

Thanks.

You definitely need cold hardy birds but even cold hardy birds are at risk for frostbite if conditions are right and are preventable. Single larger comb birds are at more risk etc. it’s reviewed in my article some good prevention. Even in a well constructed coop still need winterizing to prevent frostbite risk.

 

[brendave]

I am planning to build a Woods coop come spring; have been thinking a 10' by 16' KO style but want less than 10 birds so a 6' by 10' provides the recommended inside space. My climate is harsh during a normal winter, this one has been extra harsh.

I assume you did the math re dimensions to ensure that the "air cushion" is maintained but I wonder if the smaller coop size has contributed to the frost bite? Also notice that you have left your side windows open during the winter, is this a factor (I believe that Woods recommends that they be closed during the winter)?

Alternatively does it boil down to type of bird one chooses?

Thanks.

All the windows are closed except for the front windows. Here's a photo of that side window with the window slid to the left so that the window is open.

It's possible that the smaller coop size contributed to the frostbite. The back part of the coop where the roosts are, however, is completely draft free and low humidity. Nevertheless, I only have 5 hens and even with their combined body heat, the inside temp got down to -12 at one point. The pea combed hens have no frostbite at all. I'd love to hear from any other 6x10 Woods owners to see if their flock had any issues.