Coop roof line ventilation

[KodaJ9397]

Hello all. New BYC member here.

I have been constructing my coop as a lurker here, picking up info and tips here and there. Most of it is finished, just putting on the final touches. I have been doing it all low budget, so far my biggest expenditure was the wire. Most of the materials are from remodeling my home which would have been otherwise burnt or hauled to the dump.

My current question is whether I should fill in these holes in the top roof line, or if I should staple in wire and use them for ventilation? I'm in NY, so the winter temperatures often fall below freezing for extended periods of time. I have attached a photo of the coop below. I will be running a board on the end of the 2x6 beams just to tie it all in.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I suggest firmly attaching hardware cloth to that open area to keep climbing predators out and using the area for ventilation. It’s under the overhang so rain blowing in should not be a big problem. Any breeze coming in will be over their heads and will not hit them directly.

The big danger from cold is frostbite. A closed coop where the moisture from their breath and poop cannot escape is a leading cause of frostbite when the temperatures are below freezing. Many people in climates colder than yours have solved frostbite problems by providing more ventilation, not having a tightly closed unventilated coop.

Just like the wild birds that overwinter where you live, chickens keep warm by trapping air in their feathers and down. This provides insulation. They can keep themselves warm as long as a direct breeze does not hit them hard enough to ruffle their feathers and let that trapped air escape.

 

[KodaJ9397]

Do you think a weasel would climb that high? I was hoping that the height would be a bit of a deterrent. I can't think of many other predators that could squeeze through chicken wire. The only other climbing predator that worries me are the Fishers but I'm fairly confident if they wanted in they could rip the wire open. Nasty buggers.

 

[TalkALittle]

Martins, fishers, and coons can rip through chicken wire. Do yourself a favor and cover any spaces with 1/2 inch hardware cloth.

 

[AtholCoop]

If it were me and I wanted it to look neat and tidy, I'd go ahead and sheath the underside of your roof trusses and just use soffit vents.

 

[RonP]

I agree with firmly attaching 1/2 hardware cloth.

Ventilation is critical in keeping frostbite at bay.

Ridgerunner is spot on with his advice above.

 

[aart]

Put a fascia on the rafter ends then attach 1/2" HC to the bottoms of rafters and fascia.

See My Coop page for example of how I did mine.

Does the prevailing winds hit that side of coop?
If so, might put a larger fascia hanging down to help block wind but not impede ventilation exhaust.

 

[KodaJ9397]

Wind shouldn't be a problem, it's roughly 20 feet away from a larger barn. I screwed. 2x6 on there for now that I had laying around and when I get around to it I'm going to replace that with some 1x6 rough cut. I did however attach hardware cloth to it.