Winter Chicken Coop: Pasture-Raised Housing

Raising chickens sustainably involves integrating them with the farm and its land, promoting the health and well-being of the chickens and consumers. Pastured birds have access to fresh air, sunshine, and exercise, and they eat vitamin-rich grasses and legumes. They also provide natural fertilizer with their manure. However, pasture-raised poultry is a seasonal operation, and during winter, the pasture needs to rest. This article will discuss how to build a pastured chicken house for winter to ensure the health and well-being of the chickens during the colder months.

Selecting a site and direction for the chicken house

Selecting a site and direction for your chicken house is an important first step in establishing a healthy and productive pastured poultry operation. Here are some key considerations for choosing the right location and orientation:

Site Selection:

• Permanence: Decide whether the chicken house and pasture will be permanent or movable. If you intend to provide fresh pasture regularly, you may opt for a mobile setup. A movable chicken coop, also known as a "chicken tractor," allows you to rotate the chickens across different sections of pasture, providing them with fresh grazing areas and natural fertilisation.
• Space Requirements: Ensure you have sufficient space to meet the needs of your flock. As a rule of thumb, provide 2.0–2.5 square feet of indoor space per bird if they have outside access. If your chickens will be primarily indoors, consider providing at least 4 square feet per bird to prevent overcrowding and associated health issues.
• Soil Drainage: Choose high, well-drained ground for your chicken house and pasture. This will help prevent the area from becoming muddy and will promote healthier conditions for your flock. If possible, select a site with a south or southeast-facing slope for better sun exposure.

Direction and Orientation:

• Sun Exposure: Orient the chicken house toward the south, especially during winter. This will maximise sunlight exposure, providing warmth and helping to reduce moisture buildup inside the coop.
• Wind Protection: Consider the prevailing wind direction and establish the chicken house in a location that is sheltered from strong winds. This will help keep the chickens warm and comfortable during colder months.
• Shade in Summer: While sun exposure is important in winter, providing some shade during hot summer months is also beneficial. Consider the position of trees or other structures that can offer shade without blocking necessary winter sunlight.

By carefully selecting the site and direction of your chicken house, you can create an optimal environment for your pastured chickens, promoting their health and well-being throughout the year.

Building a mobile chicken coop

When building a mobile chicken coop, it is important to consider the following:

• Ventilation: Proper ventilation is more important than warmth, even in cold weather.
• Weight: The lighter the coop, the easier it will be to move, but the structure must be strong enough to hold up to constant moving. A balance must be struck between these two factors.
• Accessories: A roll-away nest box, automatic chicken door, rainwater catchment system, auto waterer, auto feeder, and calcium and grit dispenser can all be included in a mobile chicken coop design.
• Doors: A split door that opens side to side is a good option for mobile coops, as it can be screwed onto the frame around the opening. Automatic doors can be set to open and close at particular times, such as sunrise and sunset.
• Flooring: A manufactured floor will need to be cleaned periodically and will eventually rot, so some mobile coops have holes in the floor so that chicken droppings end up directly on the pasture, fertilizing the field and keeping the coop clean. A grassy field can also serve as a floor, with the added benefit of putting manure directly onto the soil.
• Wheels: Large wheels can be attached to one side of the coop, with handlebars on the wheel side that fold or slide in when not in use.

The Pasture Poultry Pen by Joel Salatin is an example of a pre-designed mobile chicken coop with building plans available online.

Ensuring proper ventilation

Ventilation Techniques:

When designing the chicken house, incorporate a well-ventilated system that allows for adequate airflow. This can be achieved through various means, such as installing a hinged roof or vents. A hinged roof provides flexibility, enabling you to prop it open during warmer weather to increase ventilation and release excess heat. Even a small opening of 3 to 4 inches can significantly enhance airflow. Additionally, consider adding vents or mesh openings at strategic locations to facilitate proper air circulation.

Seasonal Adjustments:

The ventilation requirements for winter differ from those for other seasons. In winter, the focus should be on maintaining a balance between ventilation and warmth. While proper ventilation is crucial, ensuring that the chickens stay warm is also essential for their health and comfort. You can achieve this balance by using clear roofing materials, which help warm the coop during winter while still allowing for ventilation. This type of roofing material also lets you monitor the chickens' activities and ensure they are comfortable.

Mobile Coops and Sun Porches:

Consider implementing a mobile coop design, which provides the flexibility to move the chicken house to fresh pasture regularly. This not only benefits the chickens by providing them with access to fresh grass and legumes but also helps manage their waste more effectively. Additionally, consider adding a sun porch or a "chicken sun porch" to your coop design. This enclosed area allows chickens to access fresh air and sunlight during the winter, even if they cannot venture outdoors due to deep snow.

Spacious Conditions:

Overcrowding in the chicken house can lead to health issues and aggressive behaviours among the flock. Ensure that each chicken has adequate space, typically around 2 to 4 square feet per bird, depending on their access to outdoor space. If necessary, consider adding additional coops or subdividing the pasture to provide more living space for your chickens during the winter months.

Insulation and Moisture Control:

To maintain warmth during winter, you can stack straw bales outside the walls of the chicken house. This natural insulation helps retain heat and can be reused for other purposes in the spring. Additionally, focus on preventing the water sources from freezing. One effective method is to use styrofoam packing peanuts in the water reservoir to create an insulated space above the water, keeping it from freezing.

Providing adequate space

When building a pastured chicken house for the winter, it is important to consider the amount of indoor and outdoor space available for your chickens. As a general rule, it is recommended to provide at least 2.0 to 2.5 square feet of indoor space per bird if they have outside access for free-range. This means that for every six chickens, you would need at least 12 to 15 square feet of indoor space. However, some sources recommend providing up to 4 square feet of space per bird to prevent overcrowding, especially if the chickens will be spending more time indoors during the winter months.

The size of the outdoor pasture or run should also be considered. A larger pasture will provide more space for the chickens to forage and exercise, but may be more difficult to maintain and keep snow-free during the winter. One option is to create a subdivided pasture, where the coop can be moved to a fresh section as needed. This allows the chickens to always have access to fresh grass and insects, even in winter.

In addition to the size of the indoor and outdoor spaces, it is also important to consider the height of the chicken house. The ceiling height should be high enough for the chickens to stand up and stretch their wings, and there should be enough headroom for perches or roosting bars.

To make the most of the space, consider using modular or portable housing designs. These designs allow you to add or remove coops as needed, providing flexibility and making it easier to maintain a healthy flock. Portable designs can also help to distribute manure more evenly across the pasture, as well as prevent the ground from becoming muddy or dusty.

Using the right materials

When building a pastured chicken house for winter, it is important to consider the materials you will use. A grassy field can serve as a floor for the chicken house, eliminating the need for construction. However, if you prefer a manufactured floor, you can use mesh or slats. Keep in mind that these will require periodic cleaning and will eventually need to be replaced.

For the walls of the chicken house, you can use plywood. The thickness of the plywood will depend on whether your chicken house will be portable or permanent. For a portable chicken house, it is recommended to use plywood with a thickness of at least 3/8". If you opt for a lighter material, your structure may not be sturdy enough and may 'wrack' when moved. For a more permanent structure, you can use thinner plywood and make it stronger by applying glue and screws.

When constructing the roof, consider using clear roofing material. This will allow sunlight to enter, warming the chicken house during the winter. A hinged roof design provides flexibility, enabling you to reach inside to collect eggs and providing ventilation during hot weather.

Additionally, you may want to include a door in your design. You can place the door on either the left or right side of the chicken house. Alternating door sides in a multi-house setup can create an enclosed ""sunroom" area for the chickens to use during the winter. This can be achieved by stretching clear polyethylene plastic between the houses.

Frequently asked questions