12x6 Coop Construction, August 2016 Deadline!

[aart]

Sounds like a good system @little fuzzy.

Put a rear window in the coop today. Has glass to close for when it's cold in winter and a grill for all other times. Opens all the way for when I want to reach in for something. Pleased with how the back of the cooo has turned out.

Next thing to add is a raised box in the run full of soil and charcoal for the hens to jump up to and have a dust bath.

Nice! What holds them open?

 

[kie4]

Nice! What holds them open?

Hi @aart , the glass is held open the same way the as the coop/run window below. With another small block of wood and a screw through it attached to the roof behind the guttering.



For the grill I'll get some more eye screws next time in Home Depot and hook it up with a short rope. That's how I keep the nesting box side and doorway window open too. It should only be opened temporarily though because without it the coop is wide open for a predator. The other 2 external windows have permanent hardware cloth framed in.

 

[aart]

Nice.... I love top hinged windows!
Might want them to open not quite so far tho.....so they don't funnel rain back into coop and also to block more blowing rain too.

 

[kie4]

Nice.... I love top hinged windows!
Might want them to open not quite so far tho.....so they don't funnel rain back into coop and also to block more blowing rain too.

I see what yo mean @aart , on rainy days I've been propping them open with the 2 pieces of scrap wood on the ledge. I was thinking that's what I'll do all winter too. Do you think that would be a good mix of draft prevention and ventilation? Or should I close up shop and rely on the minimal ventilation at the top and roof gaps into the run? Winter is coming.....

 

[aart]

Quote: You'll have to assess how the air moves in your coop to decide what and how much to leave open all winter,
it can vary greatly depending on the weather patterns at the site of your coop.
Sometimes you have to go in on a really windy day and observe...
....as well as long term observation over your first year to decide what works and what doesn't.

This is a pretty good discussion thread, might give you some ideas:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

This is a great video showing an air movement experiment(tho that roost is way to high for reasons that have nothing to do with airflow)

 

[kie4]

Yes. (off to a good start.....coop and birds!)

My money is on Dec 10 for your first egg.

Hi @Howard E , these pullets are now 23wks and 2 days old. 2 of them have started doing "the squat" this week. Your Dec 10 prediction is going to be close!

 

[Howard E]

(Got a meeting at a casino tonight. Maybe my luck will hold!!!)