Coop ventilation

[Mkgonzales1118]

So we are new to raising chickens I know I need to add more ventilation to the coop but I'm not sure how much? The inside portion of the coop is 4'x5' with 6 chickens. You will see in the pictures. We live in Monmouth county NJ. What size ventilation does everyone recomend?

 

[Cryss]

1 sqft of ventilation per bird plus the same for every additional bird you think you'll get. I see chicken wire. Do not use chicken wire over vents and windows or any opening to the outside world. Critters can crawl through any hole bigger than 1/2 square inch (think mice, snakes, etc.) Other critters can easily tear a hole through chicken wire to crawl through. Think raccoon, opossum, neighborhood dog, etc.) Use 1/2 inch hardware cloth for this purpose. Chicken wire is for keeping chickens in, not for keeping critters out. Use chicken wire to block off areas INSIDE the coop and run to keep chickens out (think storage room inside coop) or to separate birds (think a see-no-touch area for new birds(baby chicks need smaller wire than chicken wire so they don't escape) during introduction, or separating roosters, or separating breeds for pure breeding, ) you get the idea.

 

[Cryss]

Oh! And ventilation needs to be well above the chickens heads when they are standing fully tall on the roosts. Drafts cause respiratory illness and frostbite especially on combs.
I'm in Warren County NJ.
Hi neighbor!

 

[BaaKaaawk]

This coop houses 30 chickens (only at night when they go in) and I have nothing but the eaves open and the floor wired, and my birds are all super healthy. Unless you are going to overload your coop, between your open rafters is likely enough. I live in hot NC too...

 

[AllenK RGV]

@aart is in the Northern Climes and would be a beneficial voice here. Kusos on thinking about ventilation before winter sets in.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Also- not picking on you- but are those 2x4's the roosts? Your roosts need to be very stable and a chicken prefers their feet can wrap around the roost (for balance and security). I'd highly suggest removing the 2x4 cross beam and just putting in a good solid 1-2" round stick there. Get an Oak or Hickory branch and you'll be set. I don't know if you have Crepe Myrtles up there- but you get one of those branches and it will outlive you!

Worst case, just rip one of those 2x4 cross beams down to a 2x2 and slice the sharp edges off with a box cutter to make it more round, and you'll be good to go.

 

[AllenK RGV]

1 sqft of ventilation per bird plus the same for every additional bird you think you'll get. I see chicken wire. Do not use chicken wire over vents and windows or any opening to the outside world. Critters can crawl through any hole bigger than 1/2 square inch (think mice, snakes, etc.) Other critters can easily tear a hole through chicken wire to crawl through. Think raccoon, opossum, neighborhood dog, etc.) Use 1/2 inch hardware cloth for this purpose. Chicken wire is for keeping chickens in, not for keeping critters out. Use chicken wire to block off areas INSIDE the coop and run to keep chickens out (think storage room inside coop) or to separate birds (think a see-no-touch area for new birds(baby chicks need smaller wire than chicken wire so they don't escape) during introduction, or separating roosters, or separating breeds for pure breeding, ) you get the idea.

My stellar cat keeps kritters out, I haven't even added chicken wire to my latest coops. Every situation is different and there are no hard and fast rules.

 

[Criticalicious]

I disagree with making 2x2 roosts but it depends on what breeds you have. I have a heavier dual purpose breed and they are clutzy. They are doing better with a 2x3 board set with the wide part flat. They fall off the roost less and when they roost they can completely cover all their toes. Whereas if they wrap the feet around the roost, then parts of their toes might be exposed, which could lead to frostbite.

 

[aart]

What size ventilation does everyone recomend?

There are no hard numbers, tho they may be cited.
Ventilation needs to be assessed per each coop, site, and climate.
Your bird to space ratio is tight, roost spacing is problematic(see below).
Hard to safely ventilate a 'short' coop.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/
Need to see coop from outside too.
Having a winter proofed run would help ...a lot.

Worst case, just rip one of those 2x4 cross beams down to a 2x2

I believe they are 2x2's, tho 2x4's would be fine.....these roosts are not very well placed tho.
The one to the left looks to be too close to the wall(12" away works well),
and both are awfully close to the roof

 

[Cryss]

View attachment 1905834

This coop houses 30 chickens (only at night when they go in) and I have nothing but the eaves open and the floor wired, and my birds are all super healthy. Unless you are going to overload your coop, between your open rafters is likely enough. I live in hot NC too...

That wouldn't work here in New Jersey.