Coop roof ventilation

[Sea Wolf]

That is what I did.

The roof extends over the edge and there is an open gap underneath the full width and on both sides.

 

[jspeese]

I did my coop that way too. I'm not a highly skilled carpenter nor do I have a lot of fancy tools, and doing it that way was certainly easier than cutting notches in rafters. I stopped up the gaps with hardware cloth too in order to keep out climbing predators and songbirds (love the latter, but don't want them in my chicken coop!) and provide extra ventilation. For an 8 x 8 coop it wasn't that hard. I live near Augusta Georgia and it can get hot and humid in the summer.

 

[eulogos]

Lol. I was mulling over attaching the hardware cloth and was considering fashioning individual screens for each opening, then fastening screen in each space.

Mine was made like that without the hardware cloth. I keep thinking I should add some. But I have never had a weasel, so I keep putting it off. On nights when I have forgotten to close the door I have had opossums eat eggs and chicken food but not chickens. We have had foxes. And one very old mangy coyote one year who found my chickens easy pickings. My head rooster and he fought to the death one night- at least I found the coyote dead with his eyes pecked out and the rooster dying, within feet of each other. I also once had a rooster jump at the face of a hawk trying to take off with a fat chicken, and make the hawk drop it. But I digress. I know those spaces should be covered.

 

[Renaissance hick]

Lol. I was mulling over attaching the hardware cloth and was considering fashioning individual screens for each opening, then fastening screen in each space.

I installed a piece of gutter I got from the Habitat for Humanity store. I was able to attach hardware cloth without wrapping around ends of rafters, and I am collecting rainwater with the gutter. Did the same with a piece of 1x3 fascia board on the front.

 

[Steve2saint]

I’m finalizing plans on 4x8 coop with attached run and need advice. Can I place rafters on top of side walls to create a ventilation gap of 1-1/2” under the entire roof perimeter? Essentially it’d be wall, rafter on top, then roofing connected to the rafters. Hope my question is clear - it’s clear in my mind!

I live in Illinois between Springfield illinois and ST Louis Missouri. I put I north and a south opening for ventilation. I put window screen in to keep most of the gnats out, and 1/2" hardware clothe on top of that to keep critters ( raccoons and coyotes etc.) In the winter I put 3/8" plywood up with screws so I can take it out again in mice weather. On the south side I put in 1/4" polycarbonate ( it's stronger than plexiglass). Again I screwed it up so it too can be taken down in nice weather. In nice weather in have ventilation, in colder weather it stays warmer.

 

[goldenyears]

Mine was made like that without the hardware cloth. I keep thinking I should add some. But I have never had a weasel, so I keep putting it off. On nights when I have forgotten to close the door I have had opossums eat eggs and chicken food but not chickens. We have had foxes. And one very old mangy coyote one year who found my chickens easy pickings. My head rooster and he fought to the death one night- at least I found the coyote dead with his eyes pecked out and the rooster dying, within feet of each other. I also once had a rooster jump at the face of a hawk trying to take off with a fat chicken, and make the hawk drop it. But I digress. I know those spaces should be covered.

Yeah, it can be a real battle out there, but such is the life cycle. The only good news about a coyote is it tends to keep the foxes away.

 

[JoleneNoel]

That is standard construction to lay the rafters on top of the wall but they don't lay plate style so the gap would be 3.5" high as shown below.
This is how it comes out with hardware cloth to secure it.
View attachment 2028562
These vents work best in combination with ridge and/or gable vents.
View attachment 2028563

Those vents are exactly what I’ve been trying to figure out! Thank you for the pictures. I do have a question- has anyone ever put used screen in addition to the hardware cloth to help with the bugs? Thanks

 

[DobieLover]

Those vents are exactly what I’ve been trying to figure out! Thank you for the pictures. I do have a question- has anyone ever put used screen in addition to the hardware cloth to help with the bugs? Thanks

You can try but the pop door being open all day defeats the purpose. And the screen will really collect dust.

 

[Sea Wolf]

Those vents are exactly what I’ve been trying to figure out! Thank you for the pictures. I do have a question- has anyone ever put used screen in addition to the hardware cloth to help with the bugs? Thanks

The screen would be wasted. If you have your little door so the chickens can come and go, there go your bugs.

 

[Molpet]

Those vents are exactly what I’ve been trying to figure out! Thank you for the pictures. I do have a question- has anyone ever put used screen in addition to the hardware cloth to help with the bugs? Thanks

Even 1/4 inch hwc gets plugged up quickly. Screen would need cleaning monthly