Coop advice needed

[Saras_hen_den]

As I’m putting the final touches on my coop, I need advice on what to do with the space between the rafters. I live in SW Wisconsin for reference.

I don’t know if I should board up the space between rafters or just cover with hardware cloth and leave open to air. I’m worried that it will get too cold and drafty in the winter if I leave them open.

For existing ventilation I have a triangle shaped opening on both sides that I plan to have flip open covers over for the winter, a window that can be opened or closed, and a little ventilation opening above the window that will always stay open.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I covered mine with hardware cloth.



I did this on the inside of the coop because it is MUCH easier to access.
If you need to it is also easy to add hatches that you can drop.open or latch up if the wind is whipping in that side.

The outside does have a board across the rafters as seen here.

 

[DobieLover]

Definitely leave them open and back them with HC.
I did mine from outside because doing them from inside would have been difficult trying to place them over the top plate. I just cut each piece, cut the corners for folding then tucked the piece in and stapled it down heavily with a pneumatic staple gun. The section that is stapled to the siding was later covered with the trim boards for additional securing.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don’t know if I should board up the space between rafters or just cover with hardware cloth and leave open to air. I’m worried that it will get too cold and drafty in the winter if I leave them open.

Where are your roosts in relationship to those openings? If you leave all those openings open, including those triangular areas, will a breeze between them hit the chickens on the roost? Or will they be below the breezes?

Your job is not to keep the chickens cozy and warm, your job is to keep them dry and out of direct breezes so they can keep themselves warm. They are wearing a down coat after all. Part of keeping them dry is to have good ventilation so the moisture from their breathing, poop, and any thawed water can escape instead of building up. Those areas under the overhang are great in having ventilation protected form rain or snow blowing in. I'd cover them with hardware cloth for predator protection and leave them permanently open.

I'll include a link to an article from someone with experience in weather probably colder than you will face. It might help you.

Alaskan’s Article

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/