can you critique my coop ventilation? (pictures included)

[PortageGirl]

Dust bath can be wherever they can get to it and like it. If they use it, it's good! LOL

The roost sounds fine the way it is, they can sink down and fluff their feathers over their toes if they want to even if some of their toes hang over, so that's good.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
It is really more the supporting lumber that keeps a roof from caving in, not so much the pitch of the roof. So while of course you do not want to make the roof flat (for leakage reasons if nothing else), it is important to make sure that the STRUCTURE holding up the roofing panels will be adequate -- adequate size/spacing of uprights, horizontal members, and whatever purlins or etc the roofing panels are attached to. Clear roofing panels make a nice run roof, but there is no particular reason you couldn't use your summer plywood (screwed on so it stays on windy days!) if that's simpler. You can run clear plastic sheeting around 2 sides of the run, leave the S side open or mostly open.

-My roost is a 2x4 with the 4'' part on the flat (so they stand on the widest side), but you're right, their toes are hanging off there. Would you suggest getting a wider roost (I think I have some tongue-and-groove boards lying around, I think they are more like 5" or 6").

2x4 should be fine for those breeds, remember their tummy feathers cover the area when they are hunkered down to sleep; although if you prefer to use a slightly wider roost it is not going to *hurt*. I wouldn't waste good t/g boards on a roost though!

-I am going to rig up a dust bath for them, I think I will make it in a covered litter box. If it was protected and dry, would it be OK to leave this out in the run for the winter, or do they need it to be in the coop?

It will be unfrozen more of the time indoors than outdoors; but otherwise there is no particular reason it *needs* to be indoors. (It WILL freeze, too, esp. outdoors, as some moisture WILL get in there). My chickens would probably not use a covered litter box for anything other than laying eggs, though, dunno about other peoples' - chickens generally like a largeish open area for dusting.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​