Coop ventilation question.

[VanUnamed]

Hello,
I have built a 6 by 6 coop, walk in, elevated 16" off the ground. I use sand as bedding. I built this during this summer, now it's still hot and toasty and will stay kinda hot for the whole of September too. But winters will be really cold, as in 3feet of snow and in the tens.
The coop is like a small house, with a roof 6 in 12, metal roof installed over the rafters. For now as it is summer and I wanted it to have good ventilation, I left the two roof gables open, I installed just hardware cloth to prevent birds or other animals getting in. Before the cold gets in, other than add some insulation to the coop itself, what do I do to let moisture get out but not let my birds freeze? I think that I should install wood panels over the gable leaving vents open, but how many should I leave open, and on both sides or just one side? thanks.

 

[Latestarter]

You should leave both "open" for free flow of moist wet air up and out of the coop. It would be beneficial/helpful if you made some vents down low to allow cooler/fresh air in at floor level to increase air turnover inside. Just place the lower vents so that it doesn't create a "breeze" over the birds when they are on roost. I did this in temps of -20°f and had minimum issues and no loss of life.

Edit to add: Welcome to BYC! Browse around and make yourself at home!

 

[SueT]

I left our gables open, just covered by hardware mesh. It's about 2" wide the length (9') of one side in front. Back is closed in. Windows covered in winter.
The chickens have been fine in single digit temps. We are at 37 north latitude....

 

[VanUnamed]

thank you for your replies. I currently use the coop for both the birds that I keep (one rooster, 5 pullets) and for the meat birds, which next year will stay in a chickshaw (see justin rhodes on youtube) in the summer. In winter only the one I keep will stay, I hope it's not too big for them. Thanks again

 

[aart]

I hope it's not too big for them

Nope, it won't be...'holding heat' is a fallacy, you need good ventilation in winter too, and more space makes for 'cleaner' air.
How many birds will you keep over the winter?

as in 3feet of snow and in the tens.

Centigrade or Fahrenheit?
It gets to the single digit F's here and my eaves are open all year around,
tho there is a draft blocker over the roost area.

Seeing some pics of your coop would help us help you.

Here's a good discussion about ventilation:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

Oh, and Welcome to BYC!
Thanks for adding your location, it is most helpful!

 

[VanUnamed]

thanks, I will add picture soon <3

 

[wamtazlady]

Skip the insulation. If you add it you'll want to close up the coop to keep heat in the coop when you really should be leaving vents open even in the coldest weather. Also, insulation is a nice warm place for mice to spend the winter and not needed by the chickens. I have 2 1' by 3' vents under the eaves and a 2' by 2' vent in the back wall of the coop that gets no wind. These vents are open year round even when it's been -22 F.

Remember, a warm chicken is a dry chicken. The more moisture you get out of the coop the better off your chickens will be.

 

[aart]

Skip the insulation. If you add it you'll want to close up the coop to keep heat in the coop when you really should be leaving vents open even in the coldest weather. Also, insulation is a nice warm place for mice to spend the winter and not needed by the chickens.

Ditto Dat^^^...especially the mice(and other pests) thing.