Coop vents

[chickenmom1]

Do I leave the coop vents open or closed for the winter. Last year I thought it would be warmer closed, but this year I read that it's good to leave them open to let the moisture out. what do you think?
J

 

[patandchickens]

Colder and drier air is better for the chickens than slightly-less-cold but humid air.

Except at really super Arctic temperatures, you are really better off leaving ventilation open all the time, although the direction and amount can be adjusted according to the weather.

Dunno whether you've seen my ventilation page but link is in .sig below.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[chickenmom1]

That's what I thought. Thanks for the link.
J

 

[elmo]

Where are your vents? If they're down at roost level, you've got a problem leaving them open.

 

[chickenmom1]

They are on top. I have two one on either side of the walls.
J

 

[teach1rusl]

I will say there were a few times that I blocked mine totally off w/cardboard. But I'm also extremely diligent about scraping my dropping boards daily, picking up droppings from the bedding, etc. so that moisture isn't a problem. I keep a weather station to monitor temp and humdity out there, and my humidity stayed pretty daggone low all winter.

ETA: Hopefully your ventilation isn't on the prevailing wind side????