Coop Ventilation and Cold Weather Question

[Keeperoflock]

We are GOING to work on the coop HOPEFULLY this weekend as long as this crazy weather will allow it. They are calling for rain AGAIN this weekend. But that's another story. Don't get me started....

My question is... we live in an area that can get EXTREMELY cold (has gotten but not very often down to 20 - 30 below and that's temperature, not wind chill). I know you have to have good ventilation in a coop. Won't the ventilation allow too much wind/cold air/drafts in come winter time?

How do I insulate for the winter?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

In winter here my coop and shed get closed up tight on the sides of the prevailing winds which is generally west and north here. The south and east have open doorways for ventilation. I do not allow cross ventilation here in the winter, it would be too much.

 

[Kiki]

Check this out:
Comparing my insulated and non-insulated coops

 

[llombardo]

I question this too. I will most likely put tarps on the fencing around the coop to slow the wind down and then keep one vent closest to roof open.

 

[Keeperoflock]

Check this out:
Comparing my insulated and non-insulated coops

Excellent thread, very helpful. Thank you!

 

[Keeperoflock]

In winter here my coop and shed get closed up tight on the sides of the prevailing winds which is generally west and north here. The south and east have open doorways for ventilation. I do not allow cross ventilation here in the winter, it would be too much.

This is very helpful. I'm thinking I'm going to batten down the hatches as well.

 

[Keeperoflock]

I question this too. I will most likely put tarps on the fencing around the coop to slow the wind down and then keep one vent closest to roof open.

Yep, I'm gonna do the same thing. The tighter the better I'm thinking. All my chickens are of the hardy type thankfully. I'm kind of an old mother hen and a worrier. LOL

I'm also thinking I'll put a temperature monitoring system in as well. Just to be sure.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yep, I'm gonna do the same thing. The tighter the better I'm thinking. All my chickens are of the hardy type thankfully. I'm kind of an old mother hen and a worrier. LOL

I'm also thinking I'll put a temperature monitoring system in as well. Just to be sure.

Make sure things aren't too tight, you still want good air exchange to keep moisture from building up and causing respiratory and frostbite problems. I mostly block the drafts and breeze. Chickens are more temperature hardy than people think.

 

[lazy gardener]

IMO tight is not good. Moderation is key. I also have winter temps down to 20 below 0*F. Coop has 3 windows, a floor level louvered vent, soffit vents, gable vents. I leave one awning window cracked open almost all the time. I might close it if a storm keeps it slamming against the frame. I also cover the floor level vent during the worst of the winter weather, but it is open about 10 months of the year. I may put a hay bale in front of it with about 2" clearance before closing it off completely. Of course the soffit and gable vents stay open year round. Chickens produce a lot of moisture in their respiration and poo. If that moisture is not vented out, along with any ammonia produced, the air quickly becomes unhealthy, and the birds are at huge risk for respiratory illness and frost bite. My birds made it through the winter with minimal frost bite damage to combs. Other folks have had birds loose comb tips, and even toe nails, and toes or feet, by having their coops closed up too tight.

 

[Foster's Freehold]

An easy way to check if you have enough ventilation is to look at the inside of the roof over the roost early in the morning. If it looks damp, you need more ventilation.

You can put in lots of ventilation for summer, then close it off in the winter. The thing is, you gotta let them acclimate as the temp falls. They build up a good layer of down. Wet is what gets them though. If they are wet, then the down doesn't work and they get cold. If you don't have enough ventilation and their combs get wet or damp, you could have frostbite.