Woods-style house in the winter

[Meg-in-MT]

For anyone with a Woods coop: Do you have any issues in the summer when you've got all three sides opened up and it rains/hails? I feel like that may be a concern, as we can get quite a bit of rain in the Spring and early summer months, when it may still get pretty chilly at night.
Also, I understand that there are testimonials in the book (that I haven't read yet) as to these coops being the bee's knees even when it's -40F. Can anyone personally attest to this? I would like someone who's been through it to say either way...it'd make me feel better. We don't generally get that kind of nonsense around here, but it's been below zero for a week and was -20F (or worse) mornings a couple of days in a row. Last winter we had a -37F day. Yikes.
I'm unconcerned about drafts and rain/snow blowing in the front, as I've seen how this works with our barn. It's 200ft long with 16x16ish foot doors on the north and south ends. In the winter, it snows and snows (and snows) and the wind blows a fair amount. On the north end of the barn, the snow will come in up to 40 feet! Maddening. On the South end, however, maybe a 1-3 feet. That's with both doors always wide open.
Anyway, if you can't tell, I'm needing to replace (read: build a bigger!) chicken coop this year and thinking that this might be the way to go. Although, I can't yet care for the looks of it, if it functions the way I'm reading it does, I couldn't care less.
Edited to add: I have read this thread (all 61 pages) and haven't really found answers to these questions.

 

[bruceha2000]

I *think* that in the rain you would want only the front (can't be closed anyway) and the upper windows open, not any side windows/doors.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

I *think* that in the rain you would want only the front (can't be closed anyway) and the upper windows open, not any side windows/doors.

I'm more wondering about 1. If it's a big mess if you do and 2. If you are like me and inevitably leave it open. Whether it rains at night or while I'm at work or I just flat forget about it Thank you for your response!

 

[Meg-in-MT]

@aart Do you think I should start a new thread? I read Sean's post about zombie threads and I'm wondering if this applies.

 

[cholland]

I think Jack, the OP, has said he has experienced -20 with no problems. I believe he also talks about it being several degrees warmer inside than out. There are a few Woods threads, so it's hard to remember which one

I can't speak from experience, I'm starting my own Woods in a week or two as soon as I move the rock pile sitting where I want the coop. I actually kind of like the way they look.

In rain the upper windows should open from the bottom, so they would prevent most if not all rain coming in. Woods, in the book, and others have said not much rain comes in the windows. Even 1/2" hardware cloth would intercept some rain.
I don't have extreme cold temps here, so my current coops windows don't even close. Just the framed opening covered with hardware cloth. My roof over hangs about 8". I don't get any rain coming in. High winds might make that a different situation.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

I think Jack, the OP, has said he has experienced -20 with no problems. I believe he also talks about it being several degrees warmer inside than out. There are a few Woods threads, so it's hard to remember which one

I can't speak from experience, I'm starting my own Woods in a week or two as soon as I move the rock pile sitting where I want the coop. I actually kind of like the way they look.

In rain the upper windows should open from the bottom, so they would prevent most if not all rain coming in. Woods, in the book, and others have said not much rain comes in the windows. Even 1/2" hardware cloth would intercept some rain.
I don't have extreme cold temps here, so my current coops windows don't even close. Just the framed opening covered with hardware cloth. My roof over hangs about 8". I don't get any rain coming in. High winds might make that a different situation.

Thank you for the reply! I am curious as to how it would work in extreme temps. I have a girl, I don't know what she is, that refuses to sleep in the coop but opts for the covered run. She has forever. I will pluck her off and put her inside if it's really snowing, but she stayed out in -12f, at least, and is just fine. I may be overthinking it a little

 

[aart]

@aart Do you think I should start a new thread? I read Sean's post about zombie threads and I'm wondering if this applies.

Have no idea who Sean is or what a zombie thread is, so can't address.
Ohhhh....will have to check it out and respond there.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/zombie-threads.1223150/


As far as rain infiltration.
My coop is inside a clerestory building, it looks like a Woods coop, but it is not.
I added 12" roof overhangs an eyebrow eave over upper windows, don't think rain has ever come in those upper windows. My side windows are all top hinged, forming awnings of a sort so I can keep them open all summer....tho that will eventually rot the wood under the vinyl cladding but....<shrugs>

As far as rain coming in the large front opening of a Woods design,
I think @JackE uses sand as bedding there as IIRC says it dries out pretty quickly if some rain comes in. Maybe he can confirm and/or expand on that...tho it's probably already been addressed in this monster thread.

 

[Howard E]

I'm not sure what anyone does when its -40F outside and the house is buried somewhere under a 20 foot snow drift. Mine have come through -10F with no issues. Two left that molt event a bit late this winter and got caught half feathered on a night when it went to -6F and survived.

As for a Woods house and rain, we recently had a 2 inch rain event on a seriously windy day with rain blowing sideways and straight into the open front. Litter was damp in a variable pattern from wet in front to progressively less wet towards the back, but only under the front scratch shed. From under the monitor windows to further back, it was dry. I'm on dirt. Jack E has a wood floor. Cement would be better still. But with any of those, I have not seen where moisture coming in the front is a problem. Snow never makes it in at all or at least not more than a light powder. But in winter, the house is left buttoned up. Only opening is the open front. All windows left closed.

In the summer, with side windows open, more rain can blow in, but again, with my windows towards the front, the only part that gets wet is right by the window opening. But I use old grass hay as my litter and within hours of the rain stopping and sun coming out, the top dries out. Days later, all of it is dried out and that is in a relatively humid environment. Western states tend to have low humidity and will dry out way faster than we do.

I would not worry about moisture blowing in. It has not been a factor for me.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Have no idea who Sean is or what a zombie thread is, so can't address.
Ohhhh....will have to check it out and respond there.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/zombie-threads.1223150/


As far as rain infiltration.
My coop is inside a clerestory building, it looks like a Woods coop, but it is not.
I added 12" roof overhangs an eyebrow eave over upper windows, don't think rain has ever come in those upper windows. My side windows are all top hinged, forming awnings of a sort so I can keep them open all summer....tho that will eventually rot the wood under the vinyl cladding but....<shrugs>

As far as rain coming in the large front opening of a Woods design,
I think @JackE uses sand as bedding there as IIRC says it dries out pretty quickly if some rain comes in. Maybe he can confirm and/or expand on that...tho it's probably already been addressed in this monster thread.

I like the top hinged window idea. I bet that does work well. I keep thinking that the side windows should be towards the back, but I guess they're in the front section or towards the front. I've got it in my head that there needed in the back for light! Clerestory windows probably take care of that, though. Thanks, aart!

 

[Meg-in-MT]

I'm not sure what anyone does when its -40F outside and the house is buried somewhere under a 20 foot snow drift. Mine have come through -10F with no issues. Two left that molt event a bit late this winter and got caught half feathered on a night when it went to -6F and survived.

As for a Woods house and rain, we recently had a 2 inch rain event on a seriously windy day with rain blowing sideways and straight into the open front. Litter was damp in a variable pattern from wet in front to progressively less wet towards the back, but only under the front scratch shed. From under the monitor windows to further back, it was dry. I'm on dirt. Jack E has a wood floor. Cement would be better still. But with any of those, I have not seen where moisture coming in the front is a problem. Snow never makes it in at all or at least not more than a light powder. But in winter, the house is left buttoned up. Only opening is the open front. All windows left closed.

In the summer, with side windows open, more rain can blow in, but again, with my windows towards the front, the only part that gets wet is right by the window opening. But I use old grass hay as my litter and within hours of the rain stopping and sun coming out, the top dries out. Days later, all of it is dried out and that is in a relatively humid environment. Western states tend to have low humidity and will dry out way faster than we do.

I would not worry about moisture blowing in. It has not been a factor for me.

No, humidity isn't much of an issue in these parts. At least not for any length of time. I think I had it in my head that the windows needed to be farther back, thus allowing rain straight to the back of the coop. With all of the ventilation, especially in summer, it makes sense that dry out would be quick and painless.
So, temperature is my issue...snow not so much. I've seen how very little comes in a huge door on the south side of our barn, and if it's a problem around the outside of the coop we have the means to easily remove it. But, as far as temp goes, every other animal seems to survive it. Maybe I'm overthinking it.
Thanks, Howard E!