Cooling down a chicken coop

[Tammyjean0312]

I live in Illinois and right now the humidity is horrible. I have lost 2 older hens so far. My big problem is my husband thought he was being nice and built me a coop inside a metal building we have on the north end. He closed in the smaller overhead door and that is where the window is. It has one window that faces outside and a screen door that opens inside the shed. Unless you open the bif overhead door at the south end of the building it gets sweltering inside the shed. My coop has been 98 inside. Miserable for my babies. I have fans running. One in the window oulling hot air out and one at the screen door facing south trying to pull hot air out that side. I only have ventilation around the top of the coop on the west and south ends. I am supposed to be leaving on vacation and dont have time to make any construction modifications. Also i am waiting for a new coop to be delivered but it wont be set up and ready to use by the time we leave. My niece is going to stay here to take care of things but there are 2 full days she will be showing sheep at the local fair and wont be here. I am seriously considering not going on this trip. I am so worried they will overheat. I have tried frozen milk jugs, frozen fruit, ice in water none.of that gets the temps down. What can i do on an emergency?

 

[dearmeghann]

Can you get some shade on the shed? Like shade clothes set up so the shed isn't in direct sun?

Can you put in solar exhaust fans to pull out the hot air?

Pictures of the setup would help!

 

[Sinadrea]

Sorry about your hens. I lost a 2 year old on the 21st in the brooder box.

Can you reach a sprinkler in there and spray water without damaging anything in the shed? It may help cool down the coop and exterior. I set my timer for every 3 hours when I was gone.