[TerryM]

Everywhere I read I hear that chickens don't do well with drafts, but to me, when I think about it I wonder if this is really the case?

My thinking is this: Being a bird, and naturally spending most of their lives outside in the wind, if drafts were such a cause for concern, surely there would be a lot of sick birds falling out of tree after a few nights of heavy wind?

I look at my hens and they look pretty well insulated from the elements, I drive past a farmer daily who has hundreds of birds out in his field during the day (sometimes in the pouring rain) and these birds don't seem too bothered by it all.

I understand the importance of a well ventilated housing area, but would like other peoples opinion on this.

Has anyone actually attributed a cold or sickness to a draft. Have you lost birds because of  drafty ventilation?

Personally, I'm not convinced and think that it's something that people have heard others talk about and its been repeated enough to become 'fact'. Are chickens really so weak?

Your thoughts regarding this?

[helens-hens]

I think generally when people are talking about draught free ventilation, they mean in the hen house. Bear in mind if they are closed in the hen house at night they will not easily be able to move around to avoid a draught - bit like being in bed right by an open window on a cold, windy night and not being able to do anything about it!

Birds in the wild have the freedom to move around and find a spot as protected from the elemnts as possible but birds locked in a draughty hen house don't have that luxury.

[TerryM]

Thanks for your viewpoint. I would love others.

I still think if it blowing a gale in winter with driving rain it might prove a challenge for most birds not to get somewhat wet and then blasted with a draft, but somehow they survive.

With all that insulation (feathers), and a dry hen house, I am of the opinion that not having a regular supply of clean air is far worst than a bit of cold wind. When I think of a draft I think of what you said, an open window, (of a house, rather than a car on the motorway).

Is this really going to prove too much for hens, and do they really stand a good chance of feeling a bit under the weather in the morning?

Can anyone attribute illness or death to a drafty hen house?

Thanks again for you input.

[Ice]

Any reason why you are so interested in this?  It sounds as if you are researching something or are merely overthinking a hypothetical situation.

Of course our birds welfare is of the utmost importance.

[TerryM]

Yes, I am researching.

I hear you when it comes to chicken welfare, but I also like to question things, especially something that doesn't make all that much sense.

I've read quite a few books on the subject and most say the same thing and then I came across an article where someone claims that this is pure myth.

Everyone has an opinion, but does anyone have any cold hard facts based on personal experience or is this actually an urban legend.

It may be a trivial matter for some. But why just accept something because someone else said it? The more I read about the subject of keeping chickens the more contradictions there are.

[Ice]

It's good to be interested in your hens welfare.  Is this research for a reason or is it out of curiosity? 

[Aunt Sally]

Are you researching to find the right hen house for your own birds ?  

If so when are you getting them and what breeds are you getting ?

[viettaclark]

The heat generated by 6 chickens in an enclosed space is quite surprising! They MUST have fresh air coming in somehow but that air shouldn't be direct or the hole too large for reasons already mentioned.
I have an Eglu Cube which has cleverly designed slits in various places and it works! Although it stays warm in winter it's not stuffy and in summer the same.
I can see where you're coming from re outside chooks but modern hybrids are quite delicate in some respects and may be susceptible to draughts.
I haven't got first hand experience because mine are fine.....
 

[Lindeggs]

Welcome to the forum, TerryM.  I'm also a dedicated researcher into all things chicken-y and am always keen to sift out the wheat from the chaff (as my chickens would say).

Here's an article you may be interested in, from Back Yard Poultry magazine:
http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/6/6-5/want_healthy_birds_give_them_fresh_air.html

[joyfull]

I have several that roost in the trees all year round but when Autumn arrives they move from the cherry trees and into the laurels as the laurels keep their leaves all year round. These leaves help baffle the icy winds. This proves to me that my birds need to be out of direct cold draughts