Easy way to check for drafts?

[imacowgirl2]

Short of going out after dark when everyone is roosting and trying to check on disgruntled chickens who don't appreciate lights after dark...is there a way to check to see if I have drafts at my roosts?

I have a coop that has an open front, and if possible, I don't want to have to cover it for winter...I put some plastic over it the other day when we were having strong, rare winds from the east (the direction the open side faces) and I could definitely notice a buildup of ammonia from just the one day (I didn't cover it all, left the triangle at the top open).

It definitely isn't a Woods coop, because it doesn't have the right dimension ratios, and it also has vents up along the underside of the roof that would be difficult to close off.

Roosts are about 7-8 feet back from the open front side.

Here is a not great picture of the coop:

I'm not sure how to tell if there is too much breeze/air movement in there or not.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

I've seen people suggest tying ribbon or streamer paper (or something similar) to the roosts (or just above) and see if it flaps/moves. If there's movement, then it's too drafty...

 

[Ted Brown]

The most sensitive to drafts would be a candle, great care obviously required.

 

[Percheron chick]

Incense stick.

 

[aart]

Short of going out after dark when everyone is roosting and trying to check on disgruntled chickens who don't appreciate lights after dark...is there a way to check to see if I have drafts at my roosts?

Doesn't have to be at night, do it during the day when it's really windy.

 

[WIchickMama]

Doesn't have to be at night, do it during the day when it's really windy.

agreed, just mimic what the coop would be like at night e.g. if you close a pop up door, close it, etc.

Is that the only open side? I know you said vents along the underside of the roof, the whole way? If the triangle on the opposite side was open as well, I think that would help with ventilation if you wanted to plastic up the open side again. Just thinking out loud here...

 

[3KillerBs]

I have very long hair so I know if the coop is drafty if my hair is blowing around.

If you don't have any ribbon, cut a strip from a plastic grocery bag and carry it into the coop to see if it blows around.

A gentle waft is OK, a strong flutter is not.

 

[imacowgirl2]

agreed, just mimic what the coop would be like at night e.g. if you close a pop up door, close it, etc.

Is that the only open side? I know you said vents along the underside of the roof, the whole way? If the triangle on the opposite side was open as well, I think that would help with ventilation if you wanted to plastic up the open side again. Just thinking out loud here...

Yes, that is the only open side...vents under the roof about 3/4 of each long side. It would be very difficult to open the triangle side on the opposite side, and if we did, I'm fairly certain it would blow rain/snow in right on the roosts, as that is the side our prevailing winds are from and the roosts are against that wall.

 

[Colorful egg carton]

Short of going out after dark when everyone is roosting and trying to check on disgruntled chickens who don't appreciate lights after dark...is there a way to check to see if I have drafts at my roosts?

I have a coop that has an open front, and if possible, I don't want to have to cover it for winter...I put some plastic over it the other day when we were having strong, rare winds from the east (the direction the open side faces) and I could definitely notice a buildup of ammonia from just the one day (I didn't cover it all, left the triangle at the top open).

It definitely isn't a Woods coop, because it doesn't have the right dimension ratios, and it also has vents up along the underside of the roof that would be difficult to close off.

Roosts are about 7-8 feet back from the open front side.

Here is a not great picture of the coop:
View attachment 3322773

I'm not sure how to tell if there is too much breeze/air movement in there or not.

This seems to work for me...head lamp with a red light option. It doesn't seem to bother them in the coop and it doesn't seem to draw as many bugs to me during the summers.

 

[Ted Brown]

This seems to work for me...head lamp with a red light option. It doesn't seem to bother ...

And if you stay long enough it will stimulate their pituitary glands and they might give you an extra egg...