Coop in full sun, heat issues

[Rockydoodle]

Hi there, total chicken newb here. So last year I built my coop and run, one of those prefab things. Only issue is I built them in full sun like a dummy. The run is partially covered so it has shade, and stays a good temperature. But my issue is how hot the coop gets. A few days ago it was 79 out, and it was in the 90s in the coop, with the windows open. The chickens weren't in it at the time, and the weather has since cooled down. But I'm wondering if this will be a serious issue.

Ventilation isn't great right now, as the windows are small. But tomorrow I am installing a huge ventilation door that will open up the back of the coop and allow air to flow through the front. Will that be enough, and has anyone else had a similar issue? I'm wondering if I should move it into the shade, though I'd have to disassemble the run to do so...

Any advice would be great, thanks for reading!

 

[CluckyandPeepsFlock]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

I recommend trying hanging up shade cloth over the coop:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Agfabric-M...VowhlCh3OAAJqEAQYAyABEgJpR_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Rockydoodle]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

I recommend trying hanging up shade cloth over the coop:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Agfabric-M...VowhlCh3OAAJqEAQYAyABEgJpR_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Oh cool! I could probably get some tall T-posts up and tie it between them?

 

[K0k0shka]

Where in the world are you, and how hot do your summers get? Shade is essential one way or another, and so is ventilation. Chickens tolerate cold much better than heat. And heat can build dangerously high inside the coop even if it's not that hot outside. I learned that the hard way. I have a large walk-in coop with copious ventilation (all walls are open at the top) plus real windows that open, and the coop is in deep shade all day. And yet! In the summer it would get up to 110 degrees inside, even if the outside temperature never went above 90. What's worse, is that the coop would retain the heat at night, and stay hot even when the ambient temperature outside would drop. That's when I replaced the human access door (which was a real door from a house) with a hardware cloth screen door. It helped a lot, but the coop still gets hotter than the outside and stays hotter at night. With a smaller space, it's even harder to keep it cool. Opening up the back to let air in sounds great, just make sure you use hardware cloth and not chicken wire. And think about creating shade over the coop somehow. Shade cloth is a good idea. You can also get a patio umbrella and put it over the coop.

 

[Rockydoodle]

Where in the world are you, and how hot do your summers get? Shade is essential one way or another, and so is ventilation. Chickens tolerate cold much better than heat. And heat can build dangerously high inside the coop even if it's not that hot outside. I learned that the hard way. I have a large walk-in coop with copious ventilation (all walls are open at the top) plus real windows that open, and the coop is in deep shade all day. And yet! In the summer it would get up to 110 degrees inside, even if the outside temperature never went above 90. What's worse, is that the coop would retain the heat at night, and stay hot even when the ambient temperature outside would drop. That's when I replaced the human access door (which was a real door from a house) with a hardware cloth screen door. It helped a lot, but the coop still gets hotter than the outside and stays hotter at night. With a smaller space, it's even harder to keep it cool. Opening up the back to let air in sounds great, just make sure you use hardware cloth and not chicken wire. And think about creating shade over the coop somehow. Shade cloth is a good idea. You can also get a patio umbrella and put it over the coop.

I'm in Virginia, so the summers can get really hot. I do think I'll either have to move it or add an umbrella or shade cloth

 

[K0k0shka]

I'm in Virginia, so the summers can get really hot. I do think I'll either have to move it or add an umbrella or shade cloth

Oh yeah, that's hotter than what we get so if you can, your best bet would be to move it, plus add all the other measures, too - more ventilation, maybe still add shading if it will get sun for any part of the day, and consider adding fans as well, if you can fit them in. I have two clip-on fans in the coop (about 6" diameter) for summer - one is up by the vents blowing across them, to help vent the hot air out, and one is at roost level blowing on the chickens.

 

[Brooks_]

I do think I'll either have to move it or add an umbrella or shade cloth

Something like THIS would probably work and be easier. However, I do think moving it to a shady area would be best.

 

[NatJ]

Is the run completely safe from predators?
If yes, then you can put some roosts in the run, and let the chickens sleep there during the summer months.

Of course that does not help keep the coop cool, but at least it means the chickens can sleep without being as hot.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Can you post some pics? I think that would help the ventilation and coolness experts

 

[Luv Ducks]

I am fortunate to have two trees actually in my coop that give shade to my Ducks. This keeps them from overheating. I bought screened shade material though to go over their water bowls so that the water does not get hot. Your coop looks nice. I hope you can get some screened shading over the rest of the top. I got mine on Amazon and it works well as water can still get in as my ducks like water. I am sure you could also use tarps. Good luck with your decision.