Video of my Coop - Ventilation?

MeepBeep said:

I do have a concern though, the expanded steel reinforcement mesh you used to cover the windows is going to rust rapidly and even though it's sharp and appears strong it's actually quite week and won't stop many determined predators like raccoons if they really want in...

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Bridebeliever said:

MeepBeep said:

I do have a concern though, the expanded steel reinforcement mesh you used to cover the windows is going to rust rapidly and even though it's sharp and appears strong it's actually quite week and won't stop many determined predators like raccoons if they really want in...

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Thank you for that input! Yes, it does seem very strong...and very sharp! You're saying this stuff will deteriorate? We will definitely keep an eye on this. I guess it would be pretty easy to replace considering how my husband installed it. It's kind of framed in. What would you suggest using?

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Bridebeliever said:

This is the best picture I could find of what we have. It was sold in the same area of Lowes that bags of cement are sold in. I was thinking about the paws of coons and opossum when it got this. I thought it would cut them if they tried to tear in to it.

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MeepBeep said:

Yeah, looks like plaster lath mesh and it will rust away... As for cutting the paws and/or gums as they attempt entry sadly this is not something that stops most hungry and determined predators...

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123RedBeard said:

I agree with MeepBeep ... The problem with the mesh is it is not coated/protected! It will start to rust soon, painting may slow it down, get a can of rustoleum type spray paint ... Most of the hardware cloth is galvinized coated to protect against rust, and will last much longer.

I would also recommend either (or both) a ridge vent and peak vents ... A ridge vent is a low long cupalo basically a covered opening at the top ridge of the roof, a peak vent is vents that go into the side wall up near the peak of the wall/roof ...

Good ventilation requires not only a side to side air flow like MeepBeep mentioned, but needs a low entry, and high exit ... Warm moist air will rise, and draw in cool fresh air from below ... I did not see any way for air to enter near the floor area ... This could be small or even just cracks in the siding, lots of people want to Tupperware seal up their coops, but then there is no air exchange!

I can't get side to side ventilation because the coop is basically split in half down the middle with a solid wall. It will come in at the floor from their coop door all day long but that will be closed up at night.

Hardware cloth comes in different size/thickness of wire, not just the spacing ... More common sizes are 19 - 27 gauge https://wireclothman.com/hardware_cloth.html know what your buying, and what will work best for you!

I'm thinking I can attach this hardware cloth on the outside or inside of the coop, but still leave the galvanized there, basically a double layer.

Also available in 16 gauge!
http://store.valentineinc.com/1x116gaall10.html

Know/learn about wire fence sizes (gauge) and what it means, and what it will cost ... http://www.louispage.com/blog/bid/7...e-Gauges-Used-In-Welded-Woven-Wire-Mesh-Fence

Know wether your buying galvanized after, or before welding! Which would you prefer?

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