5 weeks old now tranfer outside?

[rosemarythyme]

Just cut big holes and screw in hardware cloth. You’ll need a lot in those temperatures. Also the wire around the coop should extend as an apron at least a foot out. Mine is 17”. Here’s a couple pictures of mine with added vents and the apron. Cover the apron with dirt/rock etc View attachment 3874951View attachment 3874953View attachment 3874952View attachment 3874959

Suggestions on how to add ventilation?

Above are a few examples but realistically with your temperatures you need to consider removing an entire wall and replacing it with wire mesh. Open air coops are much better for your climate.

 

[TLynne1]

The floor of my coop is actually a wood floor 2x4s and plywood. It's secure all the way around so hopefully nothing can get under it. The hardware cloth is secured to that. I agree with the other comments that ventilation is important. It looks like a hothouse. The back of the starter bag should tell you how long the babies should have it. Mine says 18/20 weeks for egg layers even though at 9/10 weeks they have their feathers and look big enough to move from it. I'm just starting also. One of the reasons I'm on this page. Best of luck to you

Also, I take mine out during the day and bring them back in at night. Although at 9/10 weeks I'm being told I can. I'm not mentally ready I'm waiting until the are 18 weeks or closer to it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What should I use?

You're lacking an apron on your run space, that will anchor the run down plus add digging protection. It needs to be securely attached to the existing fencing and then extended 16-24" inches and pinned down with landscape stapled.

Good example here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[ASP]

Just cut big holes and screw in hardware cloth. You’ll need a lot in those temperatures. Also the wire around the coop should extend as an apron at least a foot out. Mine is 17”. Here’s a couple pictures of mine with added vents and the apron. Cover the apron with dirt/rock etc View attachment 3874951View attachment 3874953View attachment 3874952View attachment 3874959

Thanks!

 

[ASP]

You're lacking an apron on your run space, that will anchor the run down plus add digging protection. It needs to be securely attached to the existing fencing and then extended 16-24" inches and pinned down with landscape stapled.

Good example here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Thanks!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I have my birds out by three weeks, often two weeks, at temps lower than yours. Heat is your concern. Shade and ventilation your answer.

Agree that your climate screams for an open air coop design as @rosemarythyme suggested above. I use a modified open air design for my birds (highs about 100, but frequently temps in the low 90s with humidity to match - its like trying to breath in a hot shower. Hard on birds, mine basically dig pits in the earth, spread out as much as they can in the shade, and do nothing thru the heat of the day.

When I rebuild, I will be doing so in a way that adds more ventilation.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes? It's about 90 where they are now 107 outside...

Astute observation. Young chicks can't regulate their body temperature as well as adults.
Lots of high shade with air movement helps even though they have no sweat glands. They cool down by panting.
Foot baths help a lot because the blood vessels are close to the skin on feet and legs.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Just cut big holes and screw in hardware cloth. You’ll need a lot in those temperatures. Also the wire around the coop should extend as an apron at least a foot out. Mine is 17”. Here’s a couple pictures of mine with added vents and the apron. Cover the apron with dirt/rock etc View attachment 3874951View attachment 3874953View attachment 3874952View attachment 3874959

Pretty small windows in such a climate.
It gets extremely cold here in winter and my windows are huge, wide open. I determined one building didn't have a large enough window so I kept a box fan on the window sill blowing inside year round 24/7

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Pretty small windows in such a climate.
It gets extremely cold here in winter and my windows are huge, wide open. I determined one building didn't have a large enough window so I kept a box fan on the window sill blowing inside year round 24/7

For sure, I did say they would need a lot more, just showing what I meant by holes and hardware cloth. It was a better suggestion for an open wall in those temps.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yeah, open air coops are wonderful in all weather.
A friend has a great coop with a large completely contained run with a roof. Her chickens only go in the coop to lay eggs. They roost outside in the run year run. No walls at all, just hardware cloth.
I've sometimes had chickens prefer to roost in trees. They'd put themselves up there, rain or moonshine, through strong winds and snow. They were non-plussed by the inclement weather.