Woods-style house in the winter

[JackE]

Quote:
Thanks,
Yes, they free range. I have just over 7acs here. I open the little door in the morning to let them out to wander. With the snow though, they don't want to come out. I open up the door, and they'll peek out, but stay in. They don't seem to like walking in the snow.

 

[rebel-rousing-at-night]

I want one for my chickens too!Great design!

 

[Lee]

I love this design. And I applaud you for allowing plenty of floor space per bird!

 

[annie3001]

that is really nice. i love it!

btw: do you have any pics of the interior?

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

Quote:
Thanks,
Yes, they free range. I have just over 7acs here. I open the little door in the morning to let them out to wander. With the snow though, they don't want to come out. I open up the door, and they'll peek out, but stay in. They don't seem to like walking in the snow.

They'd be out in a flash if you moved the food and water outside!

Nice house. I've left a couple of windows open on my big coop and I have some chickens living in an open coop... by their choice. We have had a lot of unusually cold weather and not the first sign of frost bite. Even the peafowl won't come in out of the cold. They sleep in the trees. I'm a believer!

Could you post the name of the book you mentioned?

I have a wonderful book published in 1913 Titled: "Our Domestic Birds, Elementary Lessons In Aviculture" by John H. Robinson
It is an incredible resource.

ETA: You can find a copy on Google Books!

 

[welsummer4]

Fantastic! I read the Woods book and designed my 4'x8' henhouse with a scaled back open-air design--4 suare feet of open ventilation in the winter (even during below zero temps) and twice that in the summer--and have had no frostbite problems whatsoever. My hens are active and friendly, and lay eggs throughout the winter. The coop is bone-dry, too. I'd love to build an actual Woods style house like this one when I have more space.

 

[NottinghamChicks]

Quote:
It's a lovely coop, but the lack of an overhang was the first thing that went through my head too...what if you get blowing rain (not this time of year of course...lol).

The coop faces to the southeast. I have not had any real problems with rain blowing into the front. Sometimes in the summertime when all the windows are opened up, I have some rain blow into the house. But not enough to cause any unusually damp conditions. The house drys out fast. Also, the 3ft behind the open front is covered with sand contained by a 2x10 board. The rest of the floor is pine shavings. The overhang is built to design from the plans I got out of the book. That's the way it's supposed to be.
I know it looks kind of wide open, but it's a tight house with no drafts at all. Unless I open the rest of the windows. We have had single digit temps, with over 30MPH winds, You go in that house and can feel no air movement. The chickens seem to love it too.

I really do like it and think that it is definately a tried and true design as you mentioned. My girls would absolutely love it I'm sure!! The spend most days out in their covered run even in these crazy NH winters. I think if I get your address I might just come and pick it up!!!

 

[Baymule]

JackE, I truly believe your chickens are not really happy in your coop and you should trade it to me as my girls would like it a lot more.

No joke, it is really nice, can I move in?

 

[train2110]

That is a very cool coop. We have been thinking of building a second coop and that would look very nice in the yard! The first is a bit small, we were thinking of only have four, we are now up to nine and thinking of adding more in the spring.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Awesome! I had started a thread about open air coops looking to see what people are using. This is perfect!!! I've got to get that book!