Woods-style house in the winter

[Arielle2]

I will have to watch it closely to see how much snow and wind actually blow in. I know we had rain and snow the last 2 days and the window sills aren’t even damp. My husband says our storms usually do come from the west but with the house being in front of the coop it should block most of the wind gusting through. If I do find it to be too open they have the enclosed roosting room that is plenty big enough for them for a few hours while I get plastic up, snow cleaned out and fresh bedding down. I would like to avoid plastic, even though it’s “clear” it does filter light out and they can’t see out it and they like to jump up on the stumps and look out not to mention the fresh air is good for them. We have been down into the teens at night already and nobody has shown any signs of stress but I know that’s nothing compared to our double digits below zero we get at the end of the year. They did well last year but I had humidity issues I believe because I had plastic up.

Maybe put up plywood on hinges-- so you can open and close at will when a storm blows thru. I agree that plastic can be a problem. I kept an upper corner turned down to allow for ventillation. A lower corner would have allowed the wind to blow onto the roosting birds. ( this is in another coop, not this design)

 

[NNYchick]

I got nervous about all our storms coming from the west and I did put plastic up on the big west open areas and left the smaller east back openings uncovered. They are 4 1/2 feet off the ground and 2ft openings that run the whole east side so 2x16 ft of ventilation and it has a large overhang on that side. They are doing well it is staying dry in there and any draft is well above thier heads. We have had our first storm already

 

[aart]

They are doing well it is staying dry in there and any draft is well above thier heads.

Good move for a non-Woods coop. <thumbsup>

 

[NNYchick]

If I ever build another coop, it will be a true Woods Coop but when we started this I didn’t have enough information to grasp the right design. I used the plastic I already had for this year because I didn’t want to waste it but next year I will get clear shower curtains or the clear plastic panels that I see people put up for roofing, for better sunlight. I do have led strip lights up in there so it’s not too dim for them.

 

[Arielle2]

Once I learned the Wood style, I dont build anything else. Other sheds will be removed or replaced.

 

[Buckeye2002]

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 am wondering if your technique would work for my coop. Perhaps at the end where I currently have a large door. I changed the way it opens (from the side now). Maybe put a screen system and open the door to allow fresh air. Thoughts?

 

[bruceha2000]

Probably work in the winter but you need to make sure no air can blow through from front to back (or sides).

 

[Arielle2]

I agree.
THe end oopposite the opening must be leak proof to create a stagnant area. Stagnant isnt the best word, sorry. Think of a balloon, where air comes in one end, and holds in the main area. With the end open all the time, the air does circulate, just very slowly, and stays warmer.

 

[Coppcar]

8x14 is the minimum size for this style from both the books I have read by T. Woods on the subject.
I really want to build one for DM.
I wonder if I can get her to spring for the extra cost.

I just checked the book on this. The Woods house can be a small colony house 8x12 feet, 8x14, and 10x16 feet. He said that it should not be made smaller than 8x12 (96 sq ft)

 

[WthrLady]

COrrect. Mine is 8x12 and fantastic.