Do I have enough ventilation?

[jeria]

Riverman, you mentioned vents in the nest boxes. What do you suggest on those? First time I've seen anyone mention that and haven't noticed any in the many coops I've looked at or in the Dummies coop book. Mine will be on the protected East side so here winds are from the West. I need to get the plans drawn for those today.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

[QUOTE="Another thing I forgot to mention is that we are planning to keep our little chicken door from the coop to the run open even during the night, at least during the summer. Everyone I know around here who as chickens does this and doesn't have a problem.[/QUOTE]


I used to live out that way, closer to Spokane than central... but, my biggest concern would be coyotes... I personally wouldn't leave the door open simply because of them. If they can get into your run, then they'll get into the coop.

 

[graceupongrace]

@blackdog043 Thanks for the suggestion. The handles lock and come with a key so I think it'll be fairly safe in that regard.

@Frazzemrat1 Yes, I think coyotes will be our main concern. We used to see them around here but since we've had our saint Bernard, I haven't seen any. I'm sure they are still around tho!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

@Frazzemrat1 Yes, I think coyotes will be our main concern. We used to see them around here but since we've had our saint Bernard, I haven't seen any. I'm sure they are still around tho![/QUOTE]

Oh, if you've seen them before, you've still got them around! As I assume your dog goes in at night, then nobody will 'guard' the chickens at night, and you can be sure they will attract the predators, who will come to investigate. My dad always said 'better safe than sorry' so, I'd lock them up at night.

 

[jeria]

Lost a flock of chicks and 4 goats to coyotes back years ago. We had dogs and horses the one goat that survived was small enough to escape through the fence bars and get in with the horses.