Question about ventilation in coop - windows are frosting up and some birds have frostbite.

[eje99]

Like many of you, I'm struggling with these cold temps. I have a roo with frostbite on his comb, and a few girls with some discoloration. I have 15 birds in a 6x8 coop. It is draft free, and there is venting at the eaves, with a hip style roof and a functional cupola. There are single pane windows, that do have frost on them. I do not keep food or water in the coop, only the enclosed run. I use a droppings board and remove the droppings daily. I've been monitoring the temp and humidity - the temps are running between 10 at night and 20-25 during the day in the coop, where the outside temps are around 0 or below. The humidity in the coop is around 55%, which I've read should be ok. They have a large run which is covered and wrapped with plastic and corrugated roof panels, so it is dry and free from drafts. The pop door is closed at night, automatically. I have added a flat radiant heat panel to the coop (Cozy Coop). I'm really worried because we are headed out of town for a week and wont be able to monitor the birds - and it will be even colder when we're gone. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Welshies]

Use vaseline to help prevent frostbite but you need more ventilation. 1 square foot of space per bird. My coop has enough and I've had only frostbite on chicks in -40° weather. Good luck

 

[eje99]

Hi Welshies - thanks for the quick response! I read about the ventilation on here, and I thought that since my cupola and vents provide more of an "active" ventilation, it did not require the same 1 sf per bird, that's why I started measuring the humidity levels. If they're hanging around 50% or so and that's too high, what should I be shooting for?

 

[lutherpug]

I'm by no means an expert but my thought would be to try to turn off the radiant heater and see if that makes a difference. I know they're not supposed to put out much heat but I'm surprised your coop is 20+ degrees warmer than the outdoor air temp-to me that suggests that there is either not enough air flow or your heater is putting off a lot of heat. The birds will not be bothered by temps of zero or below. They will be bothered by the moisture content of the air, however. Just a thought.

I'm of the mindset that bag balm, vasoline, etc on the comb isn't helpful but you'll find opinions all over the map on that one.

 

[Welshies]

Hi Welshies - thanks for the quick response! I read about the ventilation on here, and I thought that since my cupola and vents provide more of an "active" ventilation, it did not require the same 1 sf per bird, that's why I started measuring the humidity levels. If they're hanging around 50% or so and that's too high, what should I be shooting for?

Do you feed them hot foods or steaming hot water?

 

[bobbi-j]

If your windows are frosting up, there is too much moisture. I would try to get more airflow through there. I usually leave my pop door open until it's about -10 or colder. I believe the fresh air comes in through there and helps push the moisture out the top. I could be wrong, but it works for me. I've never measured temp or humidity in my coops. Just watch my birds and see how they're doing. Sometimes I think it can be too easy to focus on the numbers and how our chickens "should" be doing than to observe our birds and see how they're really doing.

 

[eje99]

Do you feed them hot foods or steaming hot water?

No, I don't feed them anything other than their feed and sometimes BOSS and a little scratch.

 

[eje99]

So it sounds like I need more ventilation. I've opened a window a bit - the window is well above roost height, and on the opposite side of the coop, so I don't think it will create a draft, but should facilitate more airflow up and out through the cupola. Here's hoping, anyway! I will plan to add some soffit vents, I just can't do that at this time. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Welshies]

No, I don't feed them anything other than their feed and sometimes BOSS and a little scratch.

Hm, okay. The moisture from steaming foods can cause frostbite.