Drafts vs ventilation

[happymom99]

How can you tell the difference between a draft and ventilation? We are going to build The Minimal Coop from Building Chicken Coops for Dummies and we are hoping to make some modifications. One thing I'd like to do is put in a window. I don't know if I should put in plexiglass or if I can just cut it out and put hardware wire. From what I've read on here, drafts are a big no no but ventilation is just about one of the most important things for your chickens health. How do you determine if you're giving your chickens or extra ventilation or making things drafty? BTW, in case it matters, I live in So. California and it is pretty temperate here. I get maybe 5-10 days a year that ever get a high above 95 or a low below 32. It can get a bit humid though.

Thank you,
CJ

 

[Patricia Jane]

I installed a window. I used hardware cloth, screwed on with screws and washers on the inside of the window and an old picture frame with plexiglass on the outside of the window with hinges and a lock so it can be opened on nice days and closed on those cold, windy and rainy days. For ventilation I have slots (approx 4'in length x 6" wide) that run the length of the coop on the north and south sides, covered in hardware cloth. It has all worked out for my girls so far.

 

[Judy]

If it's cold weather and blowing on the roost, it's a draft. If it's really hot, the same air movement is a pleasant breeze.

Ventilation is best high above the chickens where ammonia and humidity can get out and be replaced with fresh air. It really shouldn't cause much air movement on the chickens in any weather.

Took me a while to figure this out, and this is how I now think of it. In your climate they won't really need a whole lot of shelter other than a way to get out of wind and rain. You could probably do as you are thinking with hardware cloth. You could always have something to cover it, like a wooden awning or just a piece of plywood you screw over it, if you get some bad weather and feel it is needed. I imagine most of the time they will appreciate the air movement.

 

[happymom99]

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What a great idea! Thank you. I'm so going to rip off this idea.

 

[happymom99]

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My responses/questions are in bold. Thank you again.

CJ

 

[hennyannie]

The front of my coop is half metal (on the bottom) wire on the top. I have made a a curtain that covers the wire and can be rolled up in nice weather. The material I used is similar to the material used in plastic feed bags, my father in law has a greenhouse and uses it for his automatic curtain.