Draft Prevention

[rosemarythyme]

Is there a spec for something like number of inches above chickens' combs that ventilating openings such as this should be placed? Or just make sure they're above and not right at them? We're set in Oklahoma this week to experience a part of this polar vortex much of the country will be experiencing, and I'm trying to prepare quickly. And it's usually gusting-windy here.

I agree with the others, there's no magic numbers and what works for me might not work for you, vice versa, based on wind direction at the specific location, the external and internal layout of coop, etc. I would just aim for as high up as possible, partially to minimize chance of drafts and also to allow ammonia and moisture to rise up and escape.

 

[khind]

As high as possible.
Post some pics of coop, inside and out, and we can help you figure it out.



Yes, I have a couple different baffles.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ventilation-baffling.75434/

Thank you. Since asking my question, I think I've found a way to block gusts. I will post some pics though, for your input on it. I'll try tonight. Your baffle looks great. My vents are small windows I cut into the coop I bought - different setup.

 

[khind]

Here's my setup. Larger bldg is a tractor coop cemented to the ground. I'm thinking of draping & rubber sheets a ways out from the all 3 vents (E, W, & S) & securing them with screws to keep them from flapping in the wind. ?
**The cut-out vents DO clear my roo's tall comb - I checked it a long time ago.**

 

[khind]

Oh - and my metal roof is not yet insulated. I've been advised to cover it with a tarp for this bitter cold that's coming until I can insulate it. I'll be doing that today. Also, I'll be wrapping the run with plastic.

 

[Alaskan]

Here's my setup. Larger bldg is a tractor coop cemented to the ground. I'm thinking of draping & rubber sheets a ways out from the all 3 vents (E, W, & S) & securing them with screws to keep them from flapping in the wind. ?
**The cut-out vents DO clear my roo's tall comb - I checked it a long time ago.**
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Your vents are pretty small... as well as very sheltered....

No sure why you would need to close them up any more....

Make sure that you leave one side of the run unwrapped so there is enough fresh air.

 

[khind]

Your vents are pretty small... as well as very sheltered....

No sure why you would need to close them up any more....

Make sure that you leave one side of the run unwrapped so there is enough fresh air.

Ok, if I don't need to shield the vents anymore, sounds good. I never close them completely, but I've read different things: leave them all open, only leave 2 open (across from each other) & close the others, etc. And it does get really windy here - gusting in different directions.

As far as wrapping in plastic, I'd planned on leaving the wrap off about an inch (?) along the top on the east and west side, at least, so there'd be cross ventilation. If I leave one wall totally unwrapped, wouldn't that result in a large draft?

 

[Alaskan]

Three walls fully wrapped and one wall completely unwrapped means the air exchanges, but nothing blows through... because... where would it blow to???

If you have the top of the east and west walls open then air will blow from one side to the other... which can be great...but could also blow in all of the snow.

 

[khind]

Three walls fully wrapped and one wall completely unwrapped means the air exchanges, but nothing blows through... because... where would it blow to???

If you have the top of the east and west walls open then air will blow from one side to the other... which can be great...but could also blow in all of the snow.

Wow, that's interesting. I always imagined one window being opened as if I have a big window open at home when I'm sitting in front of it, and it's blowing cold air right at me and hitting me and not passing through across.

Three walls fully wrapped and one wall completely unwrapped means the air exchanges, but nothing blows through... because... where would it blow to???

If you have the top of the east and west walls open then air will blow from one side to the other... which can be great...but could also blow in all of the snow.

Interesting. So if I wrap, this makes me wonder whether I could just wrap, say, the N, E, & S sides and leave the dark green outdoor cloth affixed on the W side - it does a nice job of keeping wind out. Unfortunately, the big door is on the N, but I think I can work with that.
It's not that I'm in love with the idea of wrapping in plastic (I have nothing against it either); I'm just concerned about extreme cold with wind & drafts. Our projected wind chills in a couple days is -29.

 

[Alaskan]

Wow, that's interesting. I always imagined one window being opened as if I have a big window open at home when I'm sitting in front of it, and it's blowing cold air right at me and hitting me and not passing through across.

Interesting. So if I wrap, this makes me wonder whether I could just wrap, say, the N, E, & S sides and leave the dark green outdoor cloth affixed on the W side - it does a nice job of keeping wind out. Unfortunately, the big door is on the N, but I think I can work with that.
It's not that I'm in love with the idea of wrapping in plastic (I have nothing against it either); I'm just concerned about extreme cold with wind & drafts. Our projected wind chills in a couple days is -29.

True.... the sad part is you might need to experiment a bit to figure out what works with your coop and location...

Because yes, you do want to block all wind....

If bunches of snow will be with the wind gusts... you might need to put plastic on the bottom 2 feet all the way around, just to keep snow from rolling in.

Yes adjusting stuff in terrible weather sucks... but often the first bad storm... that is what has to happen... because it can be difficult to figure out how everything will work ahead of time.

Oh... and with the open window house analogy.. think of the difference between having that one window open,verses opening two windows on opposite sides of the house. Excellent idea in a hot summer.... but horrible in the winter.

 

[khind]

True.... the sad part is you might need to experiment a bit to figure out what works with your coop and location...

Because yes, you do want to block all wind....

If bunches of snow will be with the wind gusts... you might need to put plastic on the bottom 2 feet all the way around, just to keep snow from rolling in.

Yes adjusting stuff in terrible weather sucks... but often the first bad storm... that is what has to happen... because it can be difficult to figure out how everything will work ahead of time.

Oh... and with the open window house analogy.. think of the difference between having that one window open,verses opening two windows on opposite sides of the house. Excellent idea in a hot summer.... but horrible in the wintetrhank you for the advice.

True.... the sad part is you might need to experiment a bit to figure out what works with your coop and location...

Because yes, you do want to block all wind....

If bunches of snow will be with the wind gusts... you might need to put plastic on the bottom 2 feet all the way around, just to keep snow from rolling in.

Yes adjusting stuff in terrible weather sucks... but often the first bad storm... that is what has to happen... because it can be difficult to figure out how everything will work ahead of time.

Oh... and with the open window house analogy.. think of the difference between having that one window open,verses opening two windows on opposite sides of the house. Excellent idea in a hot summer.... but horrible in the winter.

Thank you for the advice.
And now I get it - the summer v winter reference makes sense.