Draft free ventilation?! So confused!

[TerryPy]

Good one to check out design on for Georgia heat and humidity and believe me I understand as I'm in Texas, is the Garden Coop. The coop roof is entirely open (covered in hardware cloth of course). I used that idea and then put in windows on 3 sides (didn't put one on the end wall as that is positioned towards our prevailing bad storms in Texas) and small round floor vents on the wall that was not across from the nest box or beneath the roost for up venting. Also watch out because external nest boxes can get to temps of 220+ degrees in our southern sun (even in the shade its an issue and my coop is under a big ole' pecan tree). I don't use them for that reason (wish I could because it would open of s/f in the coop), but instead use internal ones. I've never found a good way to ventilate the external nest boxes. The dark paint will also be an issue unless its totally shaded I'd switch to white with pretty trim (reflect the sun away). Solid roofs don't do as well here due to the heat build up.

 

[LilyBird]

Good one to check out design on for Georgia heat and humidity and believe me I understand as I'm in Texas, is the Garden Coop.  The coop roof is entirely open (covered in hardware cloth of course).  I used that idea and then put in windows on 3 sides (didn't put one on the end wall as that is positioned towards our prevailing bad storms in Texas) and small round floor vents on the wall that was not across from the nest box or beneath the roost for up venting.  Also watch out because external nest boxes can get to temps of 220+ degrees in our southern sun (even in the shade its an issue and my coop is under a big ole' pecan tree).   I don't use them for that reason (wish I could because it would open of s/f in the coop), but instead use internal ones.  I've never found a good way to ventilate the external nest boxes.  The dark paint will also be an issue unless its totally shaded I'd switch to white with pretty trim (reflect the sun away).  Solid roofs don't do as well here due to the heat build up.

Well I'm in Ontario Canada so we don't get the heat like you would in Texas. The coop is completely shaded by some nice big trees so it isn't going to get too hot. I don't foresee any boiled eggs in my nest boxes. Lol

 

[Ridgerunner]

The concern is not boiled eggs, it’s baked chicken. Heat is much more dangerous to chickens than cold. I had a hen die on the nest laying an egg a few years back when we had those temps around 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 C). Where you are it’s not a major concern, nothing like here further south.

Down here it’s about using lighter colors to reflect heat instead of absorbing it, lots of ventilation everywhere, putting nests on the north or east side of the coop away from those hot southern and western exposures, shade, things like that. Some people use misters or swamp coolers to try to cool off their chickens. I provide lots of shade plus when it gets in the 90’s wet down the run floor so it will cool off.

We are all unique. Wherever we are we have our own challenges. Cold weather does present certain challenges but nothing like heat.

 

[TerryPy]

Yes I made the mistake of thinking you were in Georgia...should have realized based on the trees:0 Even if you are not in Texas the coop design I suggested reviewing still provides a good layout for ventilation design. In your area you close in some of the roof for winter (perhaps a frame laid on top with a round hole - wired for ventilation). It still demonstrates using an open roof vent and lower floor level venting - in its case the floor door. No drafts as the air moves by the birds not on them. No matter the weather moisture build up in the coop in the winter can be deadly.

 

[LilyBird]

I didn't mean any disrespect at all. Just wanted to let you know that extreme heat is not a huge issue in my area and that the dark purple isn't going to be an issue here.

Temperatures in my area get to about 30*C in the summer months - from late June to early September. Its not very often we see anything above that. In the winter it is regularly -30*C - and that can range from late November to early March. The rest of the time is usually around 15*C.

Ridgerunner your explanation was VERY helpful! Thank you!! I think I understand the difference now. Haha

I went out just now in the rain to make a little video explaining what ventilation I have in there.

I have one board on the one side that will open up in the summer to give the birds a breeze while they are roosting. In the winter it will stay closed. I will put hardware cloth over it to keep any critters out.

The roof has rafters all the way across that are open.

But then there is a gap near the bottom (see video)....would this gap add in the cooler air needed to push the hot moist air out the top?

 

[loujeany]

thanks for the info. I am new to byc and this is the reason I joined. I am almost done with my coop and I went overboard. It is much nicer than it has to be but I have been taking bits and pieces of everybodys advice and using it. Your post was very helpful because I have made my roof and was working on the ventilation. I have a 6x8 coop with 4 foot walls then a roof with a 6/12 slope. I was planning on cutting a couple holes in each end of the gable and cover with hardware cloth. I have a 6 inch overhang on the side walls that I am going to install soffits. I have the ones with the vent holes but now I am concerned that the chickens may get caught in a draft flowing from one side of the coop to the other so I am thinking I may use solid soffit where the roost is and at the other end use the ones with the vent holes so that I get some air movement. If I am doing anything harmful to the chickens please let me know

 

[LilyBird]

TerryPy - I had a look at the garden coop...and that is essentially what I would like to do with mine, only bigger (12x16). I like the garden coop though! Its very cute! I'm going to put my run right around my coop and attach it to the sides of the coop Not sure if I'll be covering the whole run or not though. It will definitely have hardware cloth. But maybe I'll use the idea from the garden coop for the roofing. Still so much to do on mine.

 

[mrrr0809]

A very elementary rule of thumb is that drafts are often caused by openings below the level of the chicken...i.e. leaving the chickens' coop door open. Ventilation is often seen above the chickens. Example are high windows, gable vents, eave vents, etc. Unfortunately good ventilation ca be quite complex to perform.

 

[TerryPy]

Think chimney you have to have air that hoes and in for ventilation. Pulling air in above the chickens means the air below doesn't get pulled out.

 

[TerryPy]

For me the roof is what I need. For you perhaps what is being called the Wichita Coop. Its the same design however with a solid roof. For me I took the roof rafter design with the wired coop area roof idea from the Garden Coop due to our heat and humidity, ventilation is all important.