Chickens hot when roosting. Its only 75 out..

[3KillerBs]

What's the best way to add more ventilation that's easy to close up for winter?

Open the gable triangles and extend the roof to keep the rain out.

You don't close them -- roof-level ventilation is needed both winter and summer to allow ammonia and moisture to escape.

Here's one way to extend the roof: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-overhangs-eaves-of-a-shed-coop-house.76599/

 

[lhines08]

My husband added holes on 2 sides of the coop and added a whirllybird vent too. We took the top roost bar off which they are not happy about it but I'm hopeful it will keep them out of the warmest air and then in the winter it wont be in direct contact with the cold air. Did I over do it ? Or still not enough? Hoping it works..

 

[aart]

Did I over do it ? Hoping it works..

4" hole saw?
Not overdone, as long as no rain infiltration.
Did it cool off in there?
Is the roof vent powered or passive?

 

[3KillerBs]

View attachment 2683441

My husband added holes on 2 sides of the coop and added a whirllybird vent too. We took the top roost bar off which they are not happy about it but I'm hopeful it will keep them out of the warmest air and then in the winter it wont be in direct contact with the cold air. Did I over do it ? Or still not enough? Hoping it works..

That ought to make an improvement.

They should acclimate to warmer weather.

 

[lhines08]

4" hole saw?
Not overdone, as long as no rain infiltration.
Did it cool off in there?
Is the roof vent powered or passive?

Yep 4" . No rain infiltration should occur. Passive. Maybe cooled it off a little. The 9 week old chickens seem to be panting 13 week olds dont really seem to be bothered. Not sure if they will adjust to it.

 

[lhines08]

That ought to make an improvement.

They should acclimate to warmer weather.

I hope so . Does it take time for younger birds to get used to it. The 13 week olds seem to be handling it better then the 9 week olds

 

[aart]

The 9 week old chickens seem to be panting 13 week olds dont really seem to be bothered. Not sure if they will adjust to it.

Hard to say why the youngers are panting more.
My 8wo's seem less affected than the adults, but their run is cooler.
Like us, they take some time to acclimate to the higher temps.

This is how I handle heat waves:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

 

[Brooks_]

View attachment 2683441

My husband added holes on 2 sides of the coop and added a whirllybird vent too. We took the top roost bar off which they are not happy about it but I'm hopeful it will keep them out of the warmest air and then in the winter it wont be in direct contact with the cold air. Did I over do it ? Or still not enough? Hoping it works..

That looks a lot better. My inclination is that it was gasses, not really the heat, causing the discomfort.

 

[lhines08]

They are still panting...... I cut holes in the front door and 4 bigger holes under the dropping board... out of ideas here...

 

[aart]

They are still panting...... I cut holes in the front door and 4 bigger holes under the dropping board... out of ideas here...

Compare the temp inside the cop and outside the coop, they should be about the same.
...and if they are there's not much you can do, when it's hot they pant.