Adding ventilation

[3KillerBs]

I was thinking about putting ventilation along the top of the back wall, pretty much the whole length of the wall (maybe stopping before the roosts?), 1 foot tall. Then make a wooden “awning” over the top to protect from rain. Possibly do it in two sections and install it with hinges so one or both can be closed temporarily if absolutely necessary for weather.

The easiest thing would be a top-hinged cover that you could prop open at different levels so that you'd never been shutting off your air circulation completely.

just needed to figure out airflow between the pole barn and timber

The warm air rising in the coop will create natural circulation. This illustration is from an article on cow barns, but the principle holds:

 

[kcal]

The easiest thing would be a top-hinged cover that you could prop open at different levels so that you'd never been shutting off your air circulation completely.



The warm air rising in the coop will create natural circulation. This illustration is from an article on cow barns, but the principle holds:

We have a couple top-hinged windows on our house...that concept seems like it would be an effective, simple solution. I’m sure my husband can come up with a good way to accomplish that - he’s much more creative about practical, functional things like that than I am.

Do you think what I mentioned - a long “window” with hardware cloth (roughly 1’x10’) and then one in each door (1’x2’ maybe?) with a top-hinged cover is enough for 16 chickens? Should we add a small floor-level opening as well to help bring in cooler air?
Thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it!

 

[3KillerBs]

We have a couple top-hinged windows on our house...that concept seems like it would be an effective, simple solution. I’m sure my husband can come up with a good way to accomplish that - he’s much more creative about practical, functional things like that than I am.

Do you think what I mentioned - a long “window” with hardware cloth (roughly 1’x10’) and then one in each door (1’x2’ maybe?) with a top-hinged cover is enough for 16 chickens? Should we add a small floor-level opening as well to help bring in cooler air?
Thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it!

Optimally, the permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation should add up to a minimum of 16 square feet for 16 hens. Low vents as supplemental ventilation during the summer can be very helpful.

My empirical test is that if I put my head and shoulders into the coop on a warm, sunny day and it's hotter in than out I need more ventilation.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

First, i just wanna say I'm jealous! I want a utility shed for a coop so badly. I go to buy one so many times and i just cant make myself spend 3 grand on something for chickens to crap in, lol. I will eventually, i just have to actually talk myself into it. When i get my utility shed, i am going to install electric vents in the ceiling. Theyre fairly cheap and would help alot with the stiff humid midwest temperatures. Ya know, like the exhaust fans in most bathrooms. I also to plan to have windows on both sides of the shed. I am in southeast Missouri, so we have pretty much the same weather. Keeping the windows open on nights it isn't raining will help alot. As for modifying your shed, i would add ventilation along the top of the back. That way when the window is open, you will get a nice circulation breeze. The small vents on the sides, i find they're about worthless. Maybe consider making them much larger. Depending on how much you are willing to cut and modify your shed, i can see alot of ways to add adequate ventilation. I see an extension cord maybe? Adding a fan in there will really help with the window open at night while you preditor proof and add ventilation. Those sheds can get brutally hot in the summer and our temps are only gonna go up from here on out.

First, i just wanna say I'm jealous! I want a utility shed for a coop so badly. I go to buy one so many times and i just cant make myself spend 3 grand on something for chickens to crap in, lol. I will eventually, i just have to actually talk myself into it. When i get my utility shed, i am going to install electric vents in the ceiling. Theyre fairly cheap and would help alot with the stiff humid midwest temperatures. Ya know, like the exhaust fans in most bathrooms. I also to plan to have windows on both sides of the shed. I am in southeast Missouri, so we have pretty much the same weather. Keeping the windows open on nights it isn't raining will help alot. As for modifying your shed, i would add ventilation along the top of the back. That way when the window is open, you will get a nice circulation breeze. The small vents on the sides, i find they're about worthless. Maybe consider making them much larger. Depending on how much you are willing to cut and modify your shed, i can see alot of ways to add adequate ventilation. I see an extension cord maybe? Adding a fan in there will really help with the window open at night while you preditor proof and add ventilation. Those sheds can get brutally hot in the summer and our temps are only gonna go up from here on out.

Life is short, just do it! Just divide the amount of years you plan to have chickens and then the cost per year will be small. That’s what I always do, so it doesn’t mentally freak me out, LOL!