Coop temperature

[stansangelxxx]

Hi,

I have a thermometer and hydrometer measuring the temps and humidity in my coops. So far the temps and humidity match the outdoor temperature and humidity exactly.

Is this what I should be aiming for?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Pretty much. I don’t know where you are located or what your extremes might be this winter, but most of us live where outside temperatures are not a problem as long as a wind does not hit them directly. Chickens can pretty much keep themselves warm as long as a direct wind does not ruffle their feathers to let the tiny bits of air trapped in their feathers and down escape.

The humidity is the main thing. Especially in cold weather you do not want the humidity higher than the outside humidity if you can avoid it at all. Excess humidity can lead to frostbite so you need enough ventilation to allow the moisture from their poop and breathe to escape the coop.

 

[RJSorensen]

I don't know where you are, but for this time of year for me your findings would be correct. In the winter my coop will stay ten degrees warmer or so and in the warmer months the temp is a little cooler. If you don't have a ton of birds in there, they humidity will be close to ambient values. Number of birds and size of your structure will, or at least have the potential to change your readings. I like to know these values, in cold climates high humidity will contribute to frostbite on combs, toes and the like. So keeping things dry is a must in the cooler climates. There are ways to help keep down heat, should that be a problem at this time. Chickens like 75 degrees as their preference in temps.

Providing a location for your flock will help you get better answers, along with basics like number of birds, type of birds and size of housing and or run.

Best to you and your flock,

RJ

 

[stansangelxxx]

Thanks, everyone!

I am in Upstate NY (zone 5) and have 4 barred rocks in a coop that is an 8 x 4 shed. I know that's huge for them but I started with a small flock to figure things out.

There's a window on each of 3 of 4 walls and venting at the roof level on both sides.

An example- today's forecast was 88 with a low of 60 and humidity of 60%. The coop high temperature registered as 88, low at 60, and humidity at 60%. Exact match.

I close all but one window when they go to bed and the roof vents are always open.

 

[aart]

Thanks, everyone!

I am in Upstate NY (zone 5) and have 4 barred rocks in a coop that is an 8 x 4 shed. I know that's huge for them but I started with a small flock to figure things out.

There's a window on each of 3 of 4 walls and venting at the roof level on both sides.

An example- today's forecast was 88 with a low of 60 and humidity of 60%. The coop high temperature registered as 88, low at 60, and humidity at 60%. Exact match.

I close all but one window when they go to bed and the roof vents are always open.

Huge Kudos on building bigger than necessary!!

You can leave all the windows open all summer as long as they are predator proofed and rain doesn't get in them.

 

[jonezjollyfarm]

I'm in Illinois. What is to cold to keep the coop window open at night? It's covered it chicken wire, then the outside of the coop has a chicken wire dome over it with a tented trap to keep rain out so I know nothing will get it. Anything below 50? My chickens are 6+ months.

 

[Folly's place]

You need to cover that chicken wire with hardware cloth before all your birds are killed! Predators have no problem ripping through chicken wire. Ventilation is the most important thing; It's never cold enough to close the coop and have the humidity go up. Mary