Barn Lean-To Coop Build Thread "Coop Knox"

[aart]

I'll drill some 4" holes in the back all the way at the top above the nest boxes since the prevailing wind comes from the other side.

Might be good to add a 6x36" vent instead, on both sides.
Could have a cover if you thin you need to close at times, but it's pretty well protected.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Might be good to add a 6x36" vent instead, on both sides.
Could have a cover if you thin you need to close at times, but it's pretty well protected.

I know it's not cold here like other places... but it is really windy in the winter and I worry if I create a cross-wind situation (like opening both sides) the coop will not retain it's heat very well in the cold. I know- a dry chicken is a warm chicken... but still don't want it drafty in there.

 

[3KillerBs]

I know it's not cold here like other places... but it is really windy in the winter and I worry if I create a cross-wind situation (like opening both sides) the coop will not retain it's heat very well in the cold. I know- a dry chicken is a warm chicken... but still don't want it drafty in there.

If the ventilation is up at the top then there should be no risk of drafts.

Air movement is good. What you want to avoid is wind strong enough to ruffle the chickens feathers down at the level of the roost.

This illustration is from an article on cow barns, but the principle holds:

 

[aart]

I know it's not cold here like other places... but it is really windy in the winter and I worry if I create a cross-wind situation (like opening both sides) the coop will not retain it's heat very well in the cold. I know- a dry chicken is a warm chicken... but still don't want it drafty in there.

It's too bad you still don't understand that ventilation is much more important than 'holding heat'.
Will you lock up your windowless coop at night or will they have access to the run 24/7?

 

[BaaKaaawk]

If the ventilation is up at the top then there should be no risk of drafts.

Air movement is good. What you want to avoid is wind strong enough to ruffle the chickens feathers down at the level of the roost.

This illustration is from an article on cow barns, but the principle holds:

Thank you, this is very helpful. I'll go ahead and add holes on both side to create a snice crosswind up top- without it creating feather-ruffling winds at the roost level.

The thing that always gets me hung up with these though is my bottom is wide open. All the charts/graphs assume your coop is sitting on the ground (or barn in this case). My worry come in with the air pushing up from the bottom and out those cross holes... thus creating a breeze.

It's too bad you still don't understand that ventilation is much more important than 'holding heat'.
Will you lock up your windowless coop at night or will they have access to the run 24/7?

Come on aart, I have kept coops for 20 years and had healthy chickens the whole time. Clearly I am doing it right. On my last large coop I had a whole vented cupola and soffit. I'll figure out the right flow for this one, which is why I was asking for advice.

To answer your other question, yes the coop door will remain open at night once I have trained the birds to stay in the house (which they are too young for that now).

 

[3KillerBs]

The thing that always gets me hung up with these though is my bottom is wide open. All the charts/graphs assume your coop is sitting on the ground (or barn in this case). My worry come in with the air pushing up from the bottom and out those cross holes... thus creating a breeze.

Open bottoms are great for hot climates or hot summers. Not so great for cold winters.

Maybe you'll end up needing to put a skirt around the bottom it it becomes a problem -- but top ventilation removes ammonia, which is lighter than air so it rises, and takes out the moisture that rises on the warmth that the chickens generate.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Will you lock up your windowless coop at night or will they have access to the run 24/7?

Ah true there's no windows. Is there a light inside then, so they can navigate ok at dusk?

I probably love windows a bit too much, as I ended up putting in 5 of them.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

It is plenty light in there. Remember there is no bottom! I do have a heat lamp in there for now since the chicks are still young.

I will add round ventilation holes on both sides of the top. I actually intend to put a window on the back right and left a space there to retrofit that because I like to do head counts at night.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It is plenty light in there. Remember there is no bottom! I do have a heat lamp in there for now since the chicks are still young.

I will add round ventilation holes on both sides of the top. I actually intend to put a window on the back right and left a space there to retrofit that because I like to do head counts at night.

Sounds good. Obviously I can't put in head in there to make sure there's light, but it sounds like you checked as you went along and considered that. Also it's great planning that you left yourself the option to add a window, rather than hope that you wouldn't need it and then built the walls in such a way that it'd be tough to add one later.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

@aart @3KillerBs Added 14 Ventilation holes up top, each 4". I can feel the air moving through the upper portion of the coop now for sure.