Coop and Run

[Luckystar4601]

I've read a few threads on what is needed to build a run and coop but I still have some questions.

My first one is that I have a metal shed that is 10'x14' with only one door, how could I effectively ventilate the coop while holding its integrity?

Second, my boyfriend suggested installing a dog door to be able to keep the main door just for humans, has anyone done this? Also has anyone done ventilation with a dog door on a metal coop?

Third, I have turkeys and guineas as well, which I've read like to roost high and can fly/flutter, I don't want to build my run too short for them to enjoy life. Has anyone had any experience with "stacking" 4' hardware cloth on top of each other?

 

[ColoradoPip]

Where are you located? That will help.

You can cut large or small holes in the shed, cover them with hardware cloth or buy vents from home depot, maybe add a door to close them during rain.

Dog door is the right idea, search fhe forum for "pop door". Same basic idea except it's a solid door that you open, instead of the animal. That will keep predators from walking into your coop.

If you can post pics of the shed that might help.

 

[Luckystar4601]

Where are you located? That will help.

You can cut large or small holes in the shed, cover them with hardware cloth or buy vents from home depot, maybe add a door to close them during rain.

Dog door is the right idea, search fhe forum for "pop door". Same basic idea except it's a solid door that you open, instead of the animal. That will keep predators from walking into your coop.

If you can post pics of the shed that might help.

I'm in the Missouri on top of a hill. I was thinking about a door that you could put the board in at night to stop everything from going in or out.

 

[ColoradoPip]

Cool! I think others will chime in. I would put vents on opposite walls from each other, maybe 10" tall and as wide as the wall you put them on...like if you put a vent above the door make the vent as wide as the door. I have seen others just make 3-6" holes in the upper walls for vents and suppose that works too with enough holes.

Put the vents as high as possible to remove hot air (heat rises), put them across from each other to create air movement/exchange.

Am guessing based on location you have hot and humid summers with cold and wet winters. Ventilation and dryness are extremely important for you. Make sure the vents recieve air but not rain or snow, for instance you may need to add some overhangs above the vents.

 

[Luckystar4601]

Cool! I think others will chime in. I would put vents on opposite walls from each other, maybe 10" tall and as wide as the wall you put them on...like if you put a vent above the door make the vent as wide as the door.

Put the vents as high as possible to remove hot air (heat rises), put them across from each other to create air movement/exchange.

Am guessing based on location you have hot and humid summers with cold and wet winters. Ventilation and dryness are extremely important for you. Make sure the vents recieve air but not rain or snow, for instance you may need to add some overhangs above the vents.

Typically yes but recently weve had hot and dry summers and cold and dry winters. I've been reading that guineas like to roost high and I was going to put a roosting bar and nest box up high, should I lower them to where they are under the vents or do you think they would be fine at the same level?

 

[ColoradoPip]

I would put the roost bars below the vents so the birds do not feel a draft on themselves. I've never had guineas though and know nothing about them.

For chickens you generally want the nest boxes lower then the roost bars.

Here is some of the best info on these topics. Copy and pasted from user aart's signature...

Great discussion on VENTILATION, one of THE MOST IMPORTANT aspects of coop design.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts
Fantastic treatise to help decide how much SPACE your chickens need.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/
Coop Stack-up - how high should stuff be.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-should-stuff-be.73427/

 

[aart]

Hers's an excellent thread about converting a metal shed to a chicken coop in a hot climate:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/from-tool-shed-to-coop.1321135/
I'd not house chickens, turkeys, and guineas together.

Has anyone had any experience with "stacking" 4' hardware cloth on top of each other?

Yep.
Best to plan your framing spacing to match HC widths with a bit of overlap.