Since I'm tripling my coop size this summer--I thought I'd ask what those of us northerners use as pop holes? Currently I have two LARGE rectangles in my coops for my chickens to come / go out of. However, they are NOT very draft-proof at all...and with plans to house 8 breeds of chickens, I do not want 8 holes to make my coop as wind-proof as SWISS CHEESE!
My idea was to maybe make ramps with two sides & a roof on them that are angled downwards to prevent drafts from whipping to the coop--however, maybe make the roofs of these removable to allow a breeze in the summer time? We get above 100 for about two weeks of the summer...and I'd hate to decrease my ventilation too much...
Does anyone have anything similar to this? Some of my breeds are very large & do not roost very high off the ground so they would be in the direct path of wind/cold....
My idea was to maybe make ramps with two sides & a roof on them that are angled downwards to prevent drafts from whipping to the coop--however, maybe make the roofs of these removable to allow a breeze in the summer time? We get above 100 for about two weeks of the summer...and I'd hate to decrease my ventilation too much...
Does anyone have anything similar to this? Some of my breeds are very large & do not roost very high off the ground so they would be in the direct path of wind/cold....
pop hole is at ground level & not a ramp, so perhaps this wouldn't work as easily for you. I made a 2x2 frame a bit taller than the height of the pop hole, about a foot wide & several feet long. Plywood floor. Then stapled heavy-weight sheeting plastic around it (used when curing concrete) to make a fairly draft-proof entry way. Attached the assembly with screws to the side of the coop. Once spring does more than a one-night stand, we'll remove it. Or not. Even in warmer weather it'll provide protection from wind-blown rain.
