Coop ventalation ?

[birdlady79]

Hi. I finally got around to making a screen for back bottom of coop door.... I had it on there all day but when it got dark my DH said take it off and close door..... My pullets are between 12-6 weeks.... It was 88 here today and in the 60s at night...... Is it ok to leave the screen door on at night? He was worried they would get chilled but I think they will be fine....

 

[Judy]

Ventilation is for removing warm, humid air and ammonia, so because it is warm, the ventilation needs to be at a high point of the coop, and functional even in winter temps.

That said, chickens tolerate cold much better than heat. At that age, I would guess yours would be better off with the screen, to keep the coop cool enough to be comfortable for them.

 

[birdlady79]

Ventilation is for removing warm, humid air and ammonia, so because it is warm, the ventilation needs to be at a high point of the coop, and functional even in winter temps. 

That said, chickens tolerate cold much better than heat.  At that age, I would guess yours would be better off with the screen, to keep the coop cool enough to be comfortable for them.

Thank you... I have a chicken tractor.... The sides have 2 big windows screened plus 4 vent holes at top above side windows...... The 2 front windows are also screened..... But it still seems to get hot in there..... I know ventalation is usually done up top, but if I did vent holes in back they would be very close to where chickens sleep and I didnt want the air blowing directly on them.... By opening the back bottom portion would I be doing the same thing? I've seen designs on here where whole front was open, that's why I thought I should do back..... I think I will leave it open tonight and see how they do...... It's going to be in lower and middle 60s here at night all week...

 

[Judy]

That it gets hot in there is your clue that there is not enough air movement for summer, for sure.

I've never used a tractor; I have a large shed type building. It has huge areas on all 4 sides that are open air, in our warm climate. It is breezy in there even in winter.

In the summer, air blowing directly on chickens is fine. Helps to keep them from overheating, a real threat. When they talk about "no draft," they are talking about a stream of cold air being funneled at them in a northern winter. Actually, what is a draft in the winter can be a welcome breeze in summer. Actually, 60 degrees is practically hot weather to them, once they are feathered.

Maybe someone else will come along and give you some ideas. I'm not much use for a tractor, obviously. But let me give you one link that shows setups for warm areas, and how open air they are., for you to glance through

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/163417/please-show-me-your-hot-weather-coops/0_20

 

[birdlady79]

That it gets hot in there is your clue that there is not enough air movement for summer, for sure. 

I've never used a tractor; I have a large shed type building.  It has huge areas on all 4 sides that are open air, in our warm climate.  It is breezy in there even in winter.

In the summer, air blowing directly on chickens is fine.  Helps to keep them from overheating, a real threat.  When they talk about "no draft," they are talking about a stream of cold air being funneled at them in a northern winter.  Actually, what is a draft in the winter can be a welcome breeze in summer.  Actually, 60 degrees is practically hot weather to them, once they are feathered.

Maybe someone else will come along and give you some ideas.  I'm not much use for a tractor, obviously.  But let me give you one link that shows setups for warm areas, and how open air they are., for you to glance through

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/163417/please-show-me-your-hot-weather-coops/0_20

Thank you soooo much.... I will tell my DH.... Last night they were panting.... So this info is awesome to know!!!