Coop design

[Rodrad]

Near Fallacy, especially with a raised floor.
And needs to much moisture to be good where heat would be needed.

You may be right, will still get some more info about the deep litter bedding.

 

[Ted Brown]

Thank you for reply, I understand your point that through the same openings cold air can enter and warm exit. However warm air (and humid) can be trapped in upper sections (when the cold air fills low section, I believe physics could support this). I think a much better winter ventilation system is with the vents placed as high as possible. Cold air would seep in but as it is moved downward and settles at bottoms it will push warm air up which will exit through upper section of the same vents.

When the winter vents are up high (assuming right size) the ventilation will be very good but the whole coop will be colder. As the vents are placed lower in the coop the ventilation is somewhat deteriorated but the coop is kept warmer.

Possibly for super cold winter, like you have it is ok to have the winter vent so low (almost at the floor level) providing you clean coop often and possibly have some cracks here and there so that the warm/humid air can escape.

I want to clarify a few things:

• None of this is "my point". Woods' book is a compendium of what farmers did back in the day. The designs are proven to work over more than 100 years. Read the book. (PS I get zero frost inside the coop, back included).
• Setting aside wind chill the temperature inside any coop is uniform and at the outside temperature.
• One does not place vents lower with soffit vents; this will cause drafts that will pass over and therefore chill the birds. cross vents as you plan keeps drafts at the top. The key point is how to eliminate drafts and there are multiple proven designs including a Woods.

 

[Rodrad]

I want to clarify a few things:

• None of this is "my point". Woods' book is a compendium of what farmers did back in the day. The designs are proven to work over more than 100 years. Read the book. (PS I get zero frost inside the coop, back included).
• Setting aside wind chill the temperature inside any coop is uniform and at the outside temperature.
• One does not place vents lower with soffit vents; this will cause drafts that will pass over and therefore chill the birds. cross vents as you plan keeps drafts at the top. The key point is how to eliminate drafts and there are multiple proven designs including a Woods.

Thank you Ted. I am glad your design (based on Woods book) is working well for you. I think all my winter vents will be on the gables. Still deciding on the size of those winter vents...

 

[aart]

I think all my winter vents will be on the gables

..and eaves, right?

 

[Ted Brown]

To echo @aart earlier in this thread:

• [paraphrase "simply cover all soffits on gables and sides, etc with 1/2" by 1/2" hardware cloth. This is least expensive, maximizes ventilation opening across the top of the enclosure, minimizes work"]

 

[Rodrad]

..and eaves, right?

Likely.