Chickens (very) late to go outside

[MissGreenJeans]

Hi again! Here’s the coop with the extra (I hope not bad) ventilation. The coop came with just the windows and two tiny holes. I added the rest (and the battery-powered fans). The windows are right across from where they’ll roost….

 

[3KillerBs]

Hi again! Here’s the coop with the extra (I hope not bad) ventilation. The coop came with just the windows and two tiny holes. I added the rest (and the battery-powered fans). The windows are right across from where they’ll roost….

Are those fans rated for barn use?

If not, they're a fire hazard due to the buildup of feather dander and dust from the bedding.

Other than that, your modifications ought to help. The ultimate test is whether or not the temperature and humidity are the same inside as out.

 

[RubelliteRose]

Trust me, you are not the only person to have chickens in their house way too long. Mine weren't in quite that old when we finally finished our coop, but still too long. On the other hand, you should have some very friendly chickens!
Do keep an eye on the fans when you bring them in to charge them. My daughter has very similar fans for her horses( they look identical, but are a different brand). They are rated for outdoors and we have had zero problems with them, but our chickens are much dustier than the horses, so maybe inspect them for dust build up every once in a while.

 

[MissGreenJeans]

Are those fans rated for barn use?

If not, they're a fire hazard due to the buildup of feather dander and dust from the bedding.

Other than that, your modifications ought to help. The ultimate test is whether or not the temperature and humidity are the same inside as out.

Darn it!! They are not. They’re battery powered fans I found online. With no electric, it seemed my options were limited—but I bet I didn’t look in the right places, being a newb. Are there any sites/sources where I can find the right kind of fans?

 

[MissGreenJeans]

Are those fans rated for barn use?

If not, they're a fire hazard due to the buildup of feather dander and dust from the bedding.

Other than that, your modifications ought to help. The ultimate test is whether or not the temperature and humidity are the same inside as out.

Love that advice—to try and make the inside of the coop match the outside.

 

[3KillerBs]

Are there any sites/sources where I can find the right kind of fans?

I wouldn't know. I'm a big believer in passive ventilation because I would be more likely to have power outages in hot weather than cold weather (barring the occasional ice storm), because we get hurricanes.

 

[MissGreenJeans]

I wouldn't know. I'm a big believer in passive ventilation because I would be more likely to have power outages in hot weather than cold weather (barring the occasional ice storm), because we get hurricanes.

Ah, got it. So…maybe I don’t need fans anyway?

 

[aart]

So…maybe I don’t need fans anyway?

Maybe not, but they can surely help, depends on your specific situation.
I use one in the east window of the coop to help push some cooler air inside late in the day,
cools down the coop much faster than just waiting.
BUT....I have it blowing into the coop so it's not got coop dust moving thru it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/window-fan-mount.75608/

 

[MTKitty]

Late to the party, but here I am.

I had the opposite situation: I had chicks in the garage that I wanted out around four weeks (we made it to five, in the end, as I weaned them off heat lamps). No power in my coop, so I watched weather for a good transfer opportunity.

I picked a time when overnight lows were 40-50* with a 20-40* swing from highs. The chicks were mostly feathered with fluff mostly on their heads and necks.

They stayed in the coop nonstop for about three weeks. At night, they huddled up to stay warm. They still do that, but by sun-up they are standing at the door waiting to go outside when I come for chores.

 

[MissGreenJeans]

Maybe not, but they can surely help, depends on your specific situation.
I use one in the east window of the coop to help push some cooler air inside late in the day,
cools down the coop much faster than just waiting.
BUT....I have it blowing into the coop so it's not got coop dust moving thru it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/window-fan-mount.75608/

Thank you! (Cool frame!!) I set up two small fans to blow air in and two more to blow air out (thinking that plan might make for the most fresh air). Maybe I should just blow air in…. Good point about the dust!