Condensation in metal shed-using as a coop

[JessRae]

A couple of vents on the top of each side and a brooder lamp and that she'd will work. Make sure you use welded small square mesh not chicken wire. Super easy fix to make your shed work. Looks like a nice shed for birds. Vents a necessity though.

Most people are advising against heat...I am ordering the vents from Lowe’s I posted earlier and am hoping those will help. I plan to cut the metal to fit those vents and then put the hardware cloth over it on the inside of the shed. The last thing I need is my flock getting wiped out

 

[aart]

Most people are advising against heat...I am ordering the vents from Lowe’s I posted earlier and am hoping those will help. I plan to cut the metal to fit those vents and then put the hardware cloth over it on the inside of the shed. The last thing I need is my flock getting wiped out

Might be enough for winter.....I doubt you'll need HC, slots look smaller than 1/2".

 

[pibb]

The vents should come with a screen behind the slots. Not really a hardware cloth, but I dont think you need a HC behind it either.

 

[JessRae]

Well I changed my mind after doin some more digging. I ordered a couple things and I’m hoping this will be enough for the winter. The vent from Lowe’s only lets you order 24 and let’s be honest I don’t need that many. I’m hoping these will work for the winter.

 

[sorce]

Apologies for skimming....

Have we spoke about the number of animals in there?

My first thought is you have to remember condensation shows up on metal more than wood or other materials, as it doesn't absorb.

So other coops may get the same amount of humidity, it's just not visible.

I know that's not exactly helpful, just a thought. Here's a bit more helpful.

I would line the bottom half of the interior with the half inch hardibacker cement board. It is easy to score and cut, and can be easily bolted to the shed wall after predrilling some holes.

If you space it off the wall a bit, you can place low vents behind it, which can then push some air along the wall up to your gable vents, without causing a heavy cross draft.

It'll give you enough structural stability to not have to frame much, and it last forever.

Sorce

 

[JessRae]

Apologies for skimming....

Have we spoke about the number of animals in there?

My first thought is you have to remember condensation shows up on metal more than wood or other materials, as it doesn't absorb.

So other coops may get the same amount of humidity, it's just not visible.

I know that's not exactly helpful, just a thought. Here's a bit more helpful.

I would line the bottom half of the interior with the half inch hardibacker cement board. It is easy to score and cut, and can be easily bolted to the shed wall after predrilling some holes.

If you space it off the wall a bit, you can place low vents behind it, which can then push some air along the wall up to your gable vents, without causing a heavy cross draft.

It'll give you enough structural stability to not have to frame much, and it last forever.

Sorce

I never did mention so thanks for bringing that up! I have 3 ducks and 8 chickens (6 pullets, 2 roosters). I will have to look into the cement board. I planned to keep most of the vents away from the bottom of the floor for now since the ducks are mainly on the floor. I suppose I could put a small house inside the coop for them if the breeze was too much for them? The wind blows from behind or from the west side of the coop sometimes. I appreciate all the help and ideas that’s for sure! I will get the vents I ordered by Wednesday and will be installing them hopefully before the weekend.