Controlling Dust in the Coop

[3KillerBs]

It's a pole building. With the ridge cap and the vents on the overhanging parts. (I'm not good with what all those parts are called.) Have big windows with hardware cloth can shut up tight in cold weather and open during the day. I think the ventilation is good.

Could we see photos?

The standard is a minimum of one square foot of ventilation per bird. That's permanent ventilation that is never shut off. Windows that are closed in winter and the pop door that's closed at night are supplemental ventilation that don't count toward that standard.

My personal rule of thumb is to put my head and shoulders into the coop on a hot, sunny day and find it no hotter inside than outside. More objectively, if the ventilation is adequate both the temperature and the humidity inside should be the same as the outside.

 

[illinoishiker]

Thanks for that info. I will do some measuring.

 

[21hens-incharge]

If can clean it by blowing out in between hosing it all down that would help a lot I think.

Hosing a coop down is not recommended....especially in winter when drying takes forever. Increased moisture in a coop increases cases of frostbite too.

I sweep off the walls and window sills while wearing a dust mask.
One should always wear a dust mask while cleaning the coops. Protect your lungs and eyes.

Chickens are by nature very dusty creatures.

 

[illinoishiker]

I realize windows don't count in cold weather. A lot of air goes through in warm weather. We are under trees and the windows are open on all but one side. They have a large covered run. Part is under roof and the rest is covered with wire. There's roosts under the outside roof and some sleep there in warm weather. The EEs like the outside roosts. I want ways to deal with the dust build up. I've received some useful ideas. Thanks to all.

 

[illinoishiker]

Yes, can't hose down the coop in the winter. But I will try blowing it out between bi yearly hosings. I think that will help a lot. As far as other litters hemp sounds like the only one that might be an improvement. The run is partly under roof and that is where their food is. I don't have food or water inside the coop. Only nestboxes and roost. It is very dry in the coop. I'm using creek gravel for the run. It stays clean. Not muddy. Not sure it's the best, but I don't know what would be better. Sand doesn't seem like a good idea.

 

[aart]

<chuckles> Blowing dust around the coop won't necessarily get it out of the coop.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes, can't hose down the coop in the winter. But I will try blowing it out between bi yearly hosings. I think that will help a lot. As far as other litters hemp sounds like the only one that might be an improvement. The run is partly under roof and that is where their food is. I don't have food or water inside the coop. Only nestboxes and roost. It is very dry in the coop. I'm using creek gravel for the run. It stays clean. Not muddy. Not sure it's the best, but I don't know what would be better. Sand doesn't seem like a good idea.

Gravel may be hard on their feet.
Many use ramial wood chips with great success. It is hard for me to come by so my run gets all the fall leaves I can get my hands on, spent garden plants, lawn clippings, alfalfa flakes, and occasionally a thin layer of straw. No mud no smell and in spring some really awesome garden compost.

 

[rosemarythyme]

<chuckles> Blowing dust around the coop won't necessarily get it out of the coop.

Yes, last time I tried it half of it ended up on me instead.

 

[aart]

<chuckles> Blowing dust around the coop won't necessarily get it out of the coop.

Yes, last time I tried it half of it ended up on me instead.

This guy was able to pressurize his coop so the blown around dust would exit the coop.
I tried it, but my coop has too many vents that can't be closed.
If I 'de-dust', I use the shop vac

 

[illinoishiker]

I think sweep it out then shop vac what's left. Between hosings. Blowing it out would be like the feather duster thing. Just stir it up and it resettles. Takes a lot of extension cords to get to my chook house but I can do it. My brother made me a very long extension cord. Also considering improvements to ventilation. I can easily replace some metal panels in the gable end(s) with hardware cloth. The one is under the roof of the covered run so wouldn't let rain into the coop part. I have a good set up but could use a few improvements.