Anyone know how to add more ventilation to this coop?

[sunmanchicken127]

I'd maybe cut large holes up under the gable and cover them with hardware cloth (over the vents that are there now). The holes would still be above the chickens' heads, I think. Then I'd make "shutters" over that I could prop open. And maybe just prop up the roof a d leave that area open and cover with hardware cloth. Kinda like this, maybe?
View attachment 3255836

It'd be great if you could make a larger overhang, too. Or even open one whole side and cover with hardware cloth, like an open air design.

I am so grateful for all the suggestions - thank you!

I wanted to ask about this to clarify what you mean. These pictures are just rough drafts - pretend we have raised the right side significantly so it still slopes right but has more space inside for the roost to move over.

Do you mean something like this? Where I would hardware cloth those two black holes and those would be open like your attached picture, just the other way around? And then increasing the overhangs to keep the snow out of the top part?

Or do you mean something like this? Where we would add that propped open shutter you have on your photo to that cutout and the air would flow the same way it does through the current vents - just with larger holes?

Or could I even just do what you did on your photo and do something like this?

 

[Aunt Angus]

I am so grateful for all the suggestions - thank you!

I wanted to ask about this to clarify what you mean. These pictures are just rough drafts - pretend we have raised the right side significantly so it still slopes right but has more space inside for the roost to move over.

Do you mean something like this? Where I would hardware cloth those two black holes and those would be open like your attached picture, just the other way around? And then increasing the overhangs to keep the snow out of the top part?
View attachment 3256462

Or do you mean something like this? Where we would add that propped open shutter you have on your photo to that cutout and the air would flow the same way it does through the current vents - just with larger holes?View attachment 3256468

Or could I even just do what you did on your photo and do something like this?View attachment 3256474

I was thinking that last option but with the larger "window" in the 2nd option.

 

[3KillerBs]

Give me a bit to see if I can manage a comprehensible suggestion in Paint.

 

[perkolator]

Are there plans to change the roof type on this coop when you make these improvements? I can’t imagine that OSB would last very long as a roof, I’d consider adding a bigger roof that overhangs the sides a bit more.

If I was doing this I would do something like the first pic in post #11 with the black marks being vents, but with a higher roofline. If you’re trying to save money I’d take apart a free pallet and use runners (or 2x lumber) fixed in the corners to raise the roof higher up, however high you want - I’m guessing like 6-12”. Use more runners to support the roof when you raise the height.

Depending how high you raise the roofline I’d use pallet slats to fill in some of the opening. I’d probably cover the two angled sides and leave about 6” vent space on the high and low sides for cross ventilation. I would consider expanding the roof over the high side so rain and snow can’t enter that new vent space. In winter you could easily add a baffle to the vents so it’s not the whole strip open.

 

[3KillerBs]

Pardon my extremely childish attempt at rendering perspective.

Here's what you've got:

Here's my suggestion for adding vents at the top of the roof slope after you've raised the roof. I've included awnings, which wouldn't be necessary if you can add generous roof overhangs when you raise it.

 

[dawntreader]

Is it possible to show a picture of the sides and other end of the coop? Seeing those perspectives might help affirm or even improve on the suggestions given so far. The idea to raise the lower end of the roof seems to have a better chance of minimizing humidity in the coop while offering more ventilation options (more is better for the summer heat as long as they don't create drafts across the roost during the winter).