Arizona coop design hints wanted.

[AZchickens]

Just wanted to see if anyone had any special coop designs to aid against the heat of Arizona...

Thanks,
Chris.

 

[RioLindoAz]

I can't give you designs, but I can give you some tips.

One way to insulate your chickens in the hot weather is to make your coop out of wood or brick. My coop is completly made out of wood. Also, make sure that your coop has good ventlation. Make sure you have a good layer of litter in your coop because it can get very humid and yucky if there is too much manure.

 

[Rte.66_chicks]

Overhangs to provide shade on the sides of the coop, and plenty of shade available in the run.

 

[Brian]

Here are some thoughts:

#1) Build a tall coop. Let the hot air rise away from your birds, and out through ventilation. Let's say the coop was going to be 8x10' for example. You could build a modified flat roof design, with some roof pitch to let rain run off. One wall could be 10' tall, and the opposing wall could be, say, 8' tall. Or...even 10' and 12'. On the tall wall, you could place some some fully openable windows. They could be rectangular windows oriented horizontally. They could be placed high, and when swung open, could hook onto the roof eave.

If you don't like the looks of a flat roof design, you could have a conventional roof hip with a roof vent on top.

#2) Consider no windows on the south side, where the sun beats in. Ditto for the evening sun on the west side. Perhaps just a north and east window.

 

[Iluvmychickens]

I agree-windows are a must- I have a heat/cool airconditioner in mine as well. I figure if I am hot or cold they must be so I want them comfortable. We also have a fan in there for when it is not hot enough for the A/C but feel air movement is needed. All my kids seem to like it. The A/C cools the coop to about 75-80 degrees in the summer and 55-65 in the winter. We converted an 8x12 shed into the coop and we moved it under a hugh shade tree. We have a window on the right side and 2 windows on the front. Each window has small wire as a screen instead of the fabric screens. We have a screen door fashioned out of a screen door frame. We took the window & screen out and replaced it with small chicken wire. Then the main door over that is all double hung glass.

 

[AZchickens]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Still in the planning stage now.