Chicken Coop Ventilation - Go Out There And Cut More Holes In Your Coop!

This was a great article! I could tell a lot of thought and hard work went into writing it. Very informative, helpful and easy to read!

Thank you for a great article. Question - is there a way to measure the ammonia in the air and if so, what levels are harmful. I have a wireless temp gauge in my coop so I can monitor the coop temp from inside my home. Is there a way to similarly measure the ammonia? Also, you talk about humidity levels in the coop. What is an ideal range, and what is too high? Both of these measurements will tell me if I have adequate ventilation. Thank you! Dave

Thank you! Alot of work went into writing this article. I wish the correct humidity was posted. Example: what percentage of humidity is too high and what percentage is comfortable for chickens would be a great help. I have a digital thermometer I use in the coop and having that type of details would help me alot. Thank you!

Fantastic information that is explained clearly!! The article covers so many questions I had about ventilation. Thank you.

Thanks for posting! Very informative for all levels of us chicken keepers It is also a subject that needs more attention apparently, as people don't realize how important ventilation can be to the health of your flock.

Thank you for this article. I'm trying to design my first coop for my first flock of chickens (to come). Ventilation is one of the topics I've been confused about still. You did a good job of explaining the difference between ventilation and a draft and the types of ventilation and ways to add ventilation to a coop. Specifically, I now know how to work some specific ventilation into the coop design to be used in the summer months. I do still have a question or two about summer -- generally, what do you do for ventilation at night? My instinct is to close up the windows and other ventilation that is down low for extra safety from predators, but it seems like I may need to leave the additional ventilation open even at night. Thoughts anyone?

I plan to have 4-6 hens purely for pets. I'll, of course eat their eggs, but egg production isn't my primary goal. Since they will be like part of the family (hopefully) and since I live in the country, I'm crazy worried about predators and plan to go to the greatest lengths in coop design to keep them safe. So the thought of lots of open ventilation at night frightens me. I know it should all be covered with hardware cloth, no open holes, no large holes, but is this enough? Or can I close up the ventilation not near the roof at night? I, of course, want them to be cool and comfy. Maybe I should include insulation in my coop walls? Or a fan? I swear I'd even add an AC if it kept them safe from predators. LOL

I live in northwest (upstate) South Carolina. Summers get very hot. 90s. And usually a week or few days here and there in August that may hit very high 90s or slip over 100. My coop and run are going to sit off the edge of my back yard into the edge of my woods in a small clearing that is very shaded. My coop and the attached run will be about 9-10 ft tall. The run will be wood frame and hardware cloth with a shingled or metal slanted shed roof.

Again, fantastic article. Before reading, I had pretty much no understanding of ventilation other than I needed it.

A comprehensive and easy-to-read article with good suggestions on improving the ventilation of your coop in all types of climates. Couldn't agree more. Good ventilation = Happy Chickens. Thanks!

Very helpful and informational while also enjoyable reading. Thank you!

Wow! This was a great article! I learned so much about Ventilation in chicken coops! Also, if this is your first time reading this, read the comments too! They help almost as much as the article.

The more the better!

Thank you everyone who added in~ the more the better!

Ventilation is SO important for chicken health. This article helps you understand how to create good ventilation in your coop.

Thank you for the time you spent on detailing this info in a way that this old man can under stand.

Awesome information!

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. DH and I are considering a new coop I want side walls he wants 1 or 2 hardware cloth walls. After reading this I may have to concede this one to him.

A lot can be learned in this article if you're unfamiliar with the importance of ventilation. Clearly written and full of useful material. I just wish the author was still active.

BYCERS have used this article for newbies looking for ventilation info since I have joined. It is a classic