Best Direction - Ceiling Joists - Vents & Predators

[thisjed]

My coop is under construction and I have a question about my ceiling joists. I'm using 2x4's for these joists and don't plan to install soffit - creating a natural vent around the top perimeter of the coop.

Running these joist vertically creates a 3.5" vent around the top perimeter and running these joists horizontally creates a 1.5" vent around the top perimeter. Do you recommend one over the other??? Wondering if 1.5" is enough space to even do anything? But, then again, maybe 3.5" is too much in the colder months (live near Chicago)?

I'll have to install hardwire cloth up there to prevent predators (although the roof will have an 8" overhang and the gap will be hard to access). Either way, I'm assuming better safe than sorry??? I only ask because I saw a coop from Purina with the 1.5" vent and no hardwire cloth - which seems awfully vulnerable to me?

Thanks!

 

[eggbert420]

How far are you spanning the 2x4 ? If more than six feet then I would stand them up so they don't sag in the middle.

 

[thisjed]

How far are you spanning the 2x4 ? If more than six feet then I would stand them up so they don't sag in the middle.

It's spanning 4' but will be about 5' counting the overhangs.

I like the natural vent idea, but hate thinking of how to secure it. Will be a hassle putting hardwire between all the joists. I could always just put hardwire as a soffit I guess - a 25' roll would probably handle it.

 

[eggbert420]

If you make the overhang 10" you could spit the hardware cloth from 24" to 12" wide one piece on each side.

 

[ScottandSam]

I'd question your snow load in Chicago. And place the like rafters on a deck or house. they will bow laying on the wide side. I would look for 12" overhangs.so 1- 12' is 2 rafters(6' each).

Scott

 

[Howard E]

Install them vertically. Fit (notch) your siding around the joists to close the gap to avoid drafts over the birds in winter. Put the ventilation elsewhere.

 

[bobbykiki07]

Exactly what howad said, I use re-purposed windows for ventilation. My 2x4 are on end, with 1x4 perpendicular to seal it all up.

 

[Merrymouse]

This is what I did to predator proof the soffit

It's not pretty but it works, well, hopefully. I don't have my chickens yet. Good luck

 

[thisjed]

Thx for all the feedback. I'm running them vertical (tall wise) and using hardware cloth for now. As winter approaches, I may close them up. I have two windows as well.

Got to get it finished. My girls are getting big.

 

[aart]

Agrees with vertical....and I'd go a full foot with the overhangs, will off more weather protection.
Just use HC for soffit material.....much easier, and probably more secure than filling all the gaps.
Will you have a fascia attached to rafter ends?

See My Coop page.....
HC soffit is attached to bottom inside edge of oversized(~1") fascia, bottom of rafter extensions, and wall of coop.
I pre-bent it on garage floor, then installed.