Didn't think about ventilation while building......... HELP!!

[kelidei]

I have a long vent like yours on the back of my coops too. The easiest thing to do is to take out the plexiglass and cover the opening with hardware cloth. In really cold weather (we get sub zero temps like you too) I just leave it open an inch or two. With the size of your coop and the number of your chickens that should be sufficient. We also put a moisture barrier and insulation on the ceiling. At Menards we found round vent covers that are about 4" across. If you use a hole saw it is a cinch to put one of those in with a little caulk. put it high on the wall across from the window if you need even more ventilation then just the window.

 

[Tallulah Chicklet]

I used white round 4 inch plastic louvered covers from Home Depot for the outside to keep rain out and hardware cloth on the inside of 4 inch holes. Would look nice on your pretty henhouse!

 

[KDK1]

Install a ridge vent... cheap, easy and puts the venilation at the highest possible point in your coop. It will always be above your roosting chickens!

 

[trooper]

I have upper and lower ventilations in my coop.The upper ones I open in the summer and close in the winter.Reason is that heat rises and even though you have very little heat it helps.Thie way when they roost they don't have any air movement.In the summer when it is hot the heat rises and has a way to go out.The bottom ones I leave open year around so that the air moves around taking out the moisture.The chickens are moving around and they will stay warm during the day.You can get small air vents at the hardware store that will fit in between the studs that will allow air flow in your coop And help keep it dry.Put them across from each other so that there is a cross breeze.Put the top ones above the roosts so that there is ventilation above the chickens head and they aren't in the cross breeze.Also I turn my shavings every couple of days so that the shavings can get aired out and it helps to keep the moisture out.I have my bottom one about 6-8 inches off of the floor.By doing it this way it also helps to keep the odor away.Add shavings every once in awhile so that the bedding stays good and this also adds warmth on the floor.Your lite shouldn't be on that long.I try to give them about 14 hrs of light a day.I have it to come on about 4a/m and go off about 6-7p/m.This allows them to get rest.It also gives them time in the evening to get on their roosts before the lights go out.You have a wonderful set up.As long as you provide them feed,a good house to stay dry and cozy,and safe;Thats all they need.They will not need heat.They adapt well to the cold.I may have give you more info than you asked for,but this is things that has helped me with mine.Welcome to the world of chickens and to BYC.

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[ChickenCanoe]

Shoot for 1 sq. ft. ventilation per bird. It sounds like a lot but without it inside will have more moisture than out. Also things like ammonia build up and damage birds tiny respiratory systems.
Ridge vents work unless covered by snow, then they're worthless.
Big gable vent's are probably your best bet and won't damage the looks.

 

[RaZ]

High vents should be open in the winter. Ammonia is lighter than air and needs to escape (density being 0.589 times that of air).

 

[jaj121159]

Quote:
If you are using a light bulb for egg production use a CFL bulb. Little heat, great light, even in cold weather and you can run a 60watt bulb for the cost of a 14 watt. Pain to throw away, but works great for chickens.

 

[KDK1]

Quote:
Yup, your right, good point. I didn't even think about the snow for obvious reasons. I live on an island in SE Texas.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:
Yup, your right, good point. I didn't even think about the snow for obvious reasons. I live on an island in SE Texas.

I put ridge vents in my first two coops and then this happened.

Even the Cupola vents got clogged. Big windows and gable vents would have been better.
No snow? No problem.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I had not thought of snow blocking certain vents. You learn something on here every day. Another good reason for vents under the overhang if you can.

As an engineer, I'll mention that the little holes don't provide much air exchange. It's due to the friction of air moving along the edges. A hole twice as big will allow a whole lot more than twice as much air to pass through it. I suggest to make your vent holes as big as you can, but remember to put hardware cloth over them so raccoons or such can't climb in.