Condensation in Hoop House/Coop House

[frankieniss]

Hello friends,

I live at about 7000 feet in the Arid Mountains of Utah. We get very deep snow. I have covered our coop with a tarp in the past but is not adequate when we get a blizzard and high maintenance to clear snow off the top. This year we decided to build a hoop house over the coop so they have more protection and a place to roam for the long 6 month winters.

I have found that there is a lot of condensation inside, as expected with a green house, but was not on my mind when building. It freezes to plastic when cold and does not seem to be a problem. Is this a bad thing for the chickens? They are not damp themselves nor is the inside of the coop. I did not build a window or vent yet I thought I would wait until spring as I started this project late and was lucky to get it finished the day of our first snow. I leave the door open in the day so they can come out and get some sun if they choose and to let the air flow.

Thanks

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I'm guessing you'll want some vents up high to allow that mistype to escape but others will really know.

Just popped in to say I really like the hoop set up, nice work! What's the center height? Did you buy a kit for that or use pipes?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Also welcome and you should do a coop build post!

 

[Alaskan]

The condensation is due to lack of ventilation.

Pick a spot, I would pick the flat front or back, and cut out the top part to make a big vent. You will probably need to line the new hole with thin wood strips so that the wind doesn't tear it.

 

[aart]

Yep, you'll need some venting up high in the hoop.
What's your winter temp range there?
Would be interesting to put out some hygrometers;
one in hoop, one in coop, and one outside.
I'll bet it's just as humid in coop but less likely(or visible) for it to condense in coop.
Hope the hoop side can hold up to the snow piles.

Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!

 

[Ruralhideaway]

If it's cold enough that working out there isn't fun right now you could build some wood frames elsewhere then just screw them in place and cut the plastic out where they are. Secure the edges and you're set.

 

[Folly's place]

You've built a larger coop, and it looks wonderful, BUT it needs ventilation! I agree with Rural, build a couple of frames, add hardware cloth, and attach them, then cut the plastic. Large enough openings away from prevailing winds should be good.
There should be no interior condensation.
Mary

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed you need ventilation. that moisture will rain down on them when the sun warms the interior. I speak from experience: a hoop coop that is covered with plastic can quickly go from below freezing to way too hot in a matter of hours. My hoop green house, with a window wide open on both ends got up to 120* every day this summer. beware that you don't have your chooks cook in there.

 

[CapricornFarm]

High humidity can promote frostbite. I would get busy on the ventilation.