Chicken Coop Size

[Capto Veritas]

My coop is very ventilated, and I have 2 cold hardy breeds. An RIR and a Black Australorp.

Also, I live in north Georgia.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My coop is very ventilated, and I have 2 cold hardy breeds. An RIR and a Black Australorp.

but you aren't in a cold environment, and chickens tolerate cold much better than heat.

The picture below is not a well ventilated coop. its only well ventilated if you are willing to allow drafts on your birds by opening the side door - which makes the shelter inside, based on the position of the roosting bar, not that much better than the spot in the run under the house. In good weather, its not an issue (apart from potential predator concerns). In bad weather, it is.

Unclear from prior pictures, how's the predator protection with the side door open? Is there a lockable sliding hardware cloth screen, or????

 

[3KillerBs]

My coop is very ventilated, and I have 2 cold hardy breeds. An RIR and a Black Australorp.

I'm sorry, but looking back through the thread at the pictures of your coop I don't see any ventilation at all.

In Georgia, even in the mountains, you need BIG, GENEROUS ventilation -- probably more than the 1 square foot per chicken minimums.

 

[Capto Veritas]

I'm sorry, but looking back through the thread at the pictures of your coop I don't see any ventilation at all.

In Georgia, even in the mountains, you need BIG, GENEROUS ventilation -- probably more than the 1 square foot per chicken minimums.

Not in the mountains. In Cumming, Atlanta area.

 

[Capto Veritas]

but you aren't in a cold environment, and chickens tolerate cold much better than heat.

The picture below is not a well ventilated coop. its only well ventilated if you are willing to allow drafts on your birds by opening the side door - which makes the shelter inside, based on the position of the roosting bar, not that much better than the spot in the run under the house. In good weather, its not an issue (apart from potential predator concerns). In bad weather, it is.

Unclear from prior pictures, how's the predator protection with the side door open? Is there a lockable sliding hardware cloth screen, or????

View attachment 2692385

It is very predator proof. I don't need to close the sliding door at night. Made of thick wood and steel ONLY.

 

[3KillerBs]

Not in the mountains. In Cumming, Atlanta area.

That's even hotter than I was thinking in re: my north Georgia relatives' place.

We who live here in the Steamy Southeast need all the ventilation we can possibly get.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

It is very predator proof. I don't need to close the sliding door at night. Made of thick wood and steel ONLY.

and with the sliding door closed, where is this ventilation you speak of???

A chicken coop needs ventilation like a bathroom in a human home while the tub is in use, not a bedroom - and unlike our houses, there aren't tens of thousands of cubic feet of air to be circulated about to reduce concentrated humidity and ammonia levels. Your coop is measured in inches - its total air volume looks to be less than 15-20 cu ft. That air volume needs to be rapidly turned over for the health of your birds, which is why the free ventilation recommendations on chicken coops are so high.

I appreciate your desire to minimize the deficiencies of your purchase - you didn't know better, and the manufacturer sure isn't advertising the issues. Its a very attractive coop.

There's a reason commercial coops have fans on the end and look like this:

Those birds actually have more ventilation than you are offering, more total air volume, yet workers in these plants need n95 particulate filters, sometimes respirators, and often chemical gloves and aprons while working inside. Highlights form an employment ad for poultry work in your State (Tyson Foods):

Biosecurity/Animal Welfare:
• The jobsite is a biosecure environment which requires showering, changing clothing and footwear before entering the facility. Appropriate clothing and footwear is provided by the Company. No jewelry may be worn on the jobsite except for medical ID jewelry and body piercings covered by appropriate clothing. Must be willing to sign an agreement to avoid any avian species (chickens, ducks, birds, etc.). Must be willing to sign and abide by the Company Biosecurity and Company Animal Welfare Guidelines.

• Environment: Required to work on wet, slippery surfaces and work in hot, dry, extreme dusty, dark, wet, icy, snowy and cold environments.
• Personal Protective Equipment Required: Safety glasses, safety goggles, face shield, chemical gloves, waterproof aprons, and rubber boots are required. Ear plugs will be used as required. NIOSH approved N95 particulate respirators will be worn as needed. A respirator is required for formaldehyde application. • Chemicals Commonly Used: Disinfectants such as Synergize, Lysol, bleach, insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, formaldehyde, etc.

 

[3KillerBs]

View attachment 2692506

Nice illustration of massive, but draft-free ventilation all well above the birds' heads.

Here's another angle showing the big windows on the sides.

If broilers, babies in huge brooders who will be slaughtered at 6-8 weeks, need that kind of big air think of how much our adult layers must need!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Nice illustration of massive, but draft-free ventilation all well above the birds' heads.

Here's another angle showing the big windows on the sides.

If broilers, babies in huge brooders who will be slaughtered at 6-8 weeks, need that kind of big air think of how much our adult layers must need!

Actually, there are fans on the not shown short end of that building. There's a discussion of the plans for it (or one just like it) by one of the Universities. Not sure if I can find it again though.

/edit not finding it quickly. Other commitments on my time today. Perhaps later.

 

[3KillerBs]

Actually, there are fans on the not shown short end of that building. There's a discussion of the plans for it (or one just like it) by one of the Universities. Not sure if I can find it again though.

Yes, I'm sure there are.

I just wanted to show that there are both fans and windows (and in the older style broiler houses, open sidewalls), as an illustration of the sheer volume that needs to be moved.