COLD WEATHER COOP HELP PLEASE???

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Ok were building our coop and we live in WI...we have it well insulated but what do you all do for vents? It does need ventilation right? Can you please post some pictures of your ventilation for your cold weather coops? Were at that point in our coop process. What do you all do that they will have plenty of ventilation in the summer but proper ventilation where it doesn't get to cold in the winter in your coops.

 

[Beekissed]

I know it preferable if the venting is high rather than low. Thats about all I can tell you as I can't do the pic thing with my dial-up.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Thanks...thats what we were thinking but then my hubby thinks all the heat will just right out the vent. So we though we would see what you all are doing. Anyone else???

 

[patandchickens]

Yes, you absolutely do CERTAINLY need good ventilation, even in the winter. (Please note I live in Canada myself

).

The best arrangement is to have a good large amount of ventilation, high on all 4 walls, with flaps or sliders or whatever so that it can be securely closed off when not needed on that side. (This lets you adjust it to accommodate winds from any direction, and alter the amount of ventilation depending on your needs and on night temperature).

There are two reasons why you want the ventilation high on the walls:

1) the chickens aren't there themselves. You really don't want a cold draft aimed right at the chickens, for their health. And

2) that's where the warm air is. I understand that, as your dad says, this sounds backwards if you want to keep your chickens comfy

but the thing is, the main point of ventilation is to remove MOISTURE. Warm air carries more moisture than cold air. Getting rid of warm air, in a winter coop, gets rid of more moisture, and that is Good.

What you will do is keep the ventilation adjusted (in terms of which vents are open and which are closed) so that you have as much open as you can without having freezing wind coming in. On super cold nights when the chickens may have trouble staying warm-- and remember, chickens are generally good for some ways below freezing, as long as the air is DRY not humid and there's no draft on them -- then you can temporarily reduce the ventilation further overnight if you really have to.

Hope this helps, have fun,

Pat

 

[Anny]

The coop needs vents. Other wise it will get stuffy and nasty! haha

Having vents up high is good, this way the cold air isn't blowing at the chickens feet.

Having vents that can be closed off is a good idea too.

Having open-able windows is always a plus as well.

 

[too much fun]

I have high vents that run the full length on both north and south sides, It has a board on the outside to cover them when not needed. I plan on putting some insulation (foam) in some of the holes as needed to help seal off the cold winter winds.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

We put in a roofing ridge vent under the shingles and vents in the eaves as well. Then we just left large openings in the ceiling and covered them with screening.

If that's clear as mud check out the link in my sig line.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Pat, thanks, that's the first time that I've ever read anything about ventilation that I could really understand and feel comfortable while planning the ventilation in the coop that I am now building. You've answered a lot of questions that I wanted to ask. THANKS AGAIN!