Coop Ventilation

[figaroogalelaeo]

Hi. I'm new here and to chickens. So far, I have done a bunch of research on coop design and can't really figure out if what I want to build will provide enough ventilation.

The coop is going to be 4'x4'x3' with a 1' gabled roof. The front and back part of the roof will have hardware mesh and will always be open. I am also intending to build two windows, one on the east wall and one on the west, that will also have the mesh, but be closed when it gets to cold in winter. This is for 3-5 chickens and there will be a large outside run for them.

I live in Oregon so the winters and summers are pretty mild with a few really cold or hot days. We also get decent breezes at my house. Will the open space with the roof provide enough ventilation in winter without creating a draft?

 

[teach1rusl]

That would definitely be enough ventilation, based on your description. Now the winter time question is more iffy. At only 36 inches tall, your roosts are going to have to pretty low to avoid having icy winds blow in on your roosting birds. What you could do come winter is screw some burlap (or something similar) over those wired areas so that moist air could still escape, but winds couldn't blow on the birds...

 

[FirewifeJess]

That would definitely be enough ventilation, based on your description. Now the winter time question is more iffy. At only 36 inches tall, your roosts are going to have to pretty low to avoid having icy winds blow in on your roosting birds. What you could do come winter is screw some burlap (or something similar) over those wired areas so that moist air could still escape, but winds couldn't blow on the birds...

Agreed. Plenty of ventilation but make sure the roosts are 12" high or less off the floor of the coop otherwise the birds will catch the draft at the top. The burlap idea is genius.

 

[figaroogalelaeo]

Thanks! I will definitely make do the burlap and the roost is going to be 12" tall.