Enough ventilation

[father0fnine]

Let me preface this with: I live in Phoenix, Arizona. Any and every summer you expect some of the days to be in the 120s, so that is what I have to design my coop for. The typical lows in winter might go as low as the 40s. How can I tell if my coop has "the right amount" of ventilation?

D

 

[U_Stormcrow]

If it looks like a wall (or more) is missing, you've done good.

"Open Air" coop designs are basically purpose built for your environment. Shade plus LOTS of air flow.


Basically, enough wall that the birds can shelter from wind-blown cold rains when you get them, and to provide a protected area to lay eggs, but otherwise, expect your chickens will spend very little time in the house - most of it will be spent in the shade, laying on the ground (dug in), trying to stay cool. Heat is MUCH harder on a chicken than cold is. They can't take off their down jackets, and they can't sweat.

You also want to choose breeds favoring big prominent single combs and clean legs to help with heat management.

 

[NatJ]

How can I tell if my coop has "the right amount" of ventilation?

After the coop is built, you can check by walking into the coop on any summer day. If inside the coop is hotter than outside, you need more ventilation. If inside is the same as outside, or if inside is cooler, you have enough ventilation.

(Not my idea, but I forget who I borrowed it from. And the obvious problem is that you have to build the coop before you can check it this way, and it is much harder to change after it has already been built.)

 

[father0fnine]

(Not my idea, but I forget who I borrowed it from. And the obvious problem is that you have to build the coop before you can check it this way, and it is much harder to change after it has already been built.)

Not to mention having to build it big enough to walk into, lol!

 

[NatJ]

Not to mention having to build it big enough to walk into, lol!

You could your hand or head inside to check, but yes I had forgotten that not all coops allow you to walk in. Big coops have many advantages, but I know cost is a major disadvantage!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I've seen plenty of open air coops that are basically chain link kennels to which a roof, additional predator protection, and some nesting boxes have been added, with a wind block on the short wall and maybe part ot the two adjacent walls.

 

[3KillerBs]

Here's an article for you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

You can also get local-targeted advice on your state thread since what works for @U_Stormcrow and I here in the Steamy Southeast isn't necessarily right in the desert Southwest.

But the basic idea of an open-air coop is a roofed wire box with a weather shelter at the windward end.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I would build opening doors throughout with added hardware cloth, that way you can open and close it depending on weather conditions.

 

[father0fnine]

I've seen plenty of open air coops that are basically chain link kennels to which a roof, additional predator protection, and some nesting boxes have been added, with a wind block on the short wall and maybe part ot the two adjacent walls.

That's basically what I have now except I don't know if the roof'll hold up to the coyote I caught on camera sniffing around my fence line. I was thinking I wanted to build something I could shut them in at night... but that leaves the question of ventilation... Maybe I'll look at reenforcing the roof instead.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

That's basically what I have now except I don't know if the roof'll hold up to the coyote I caught on camera sniffing around my fence line. I was thinking I wanted to build something I could shut them in at night... but that leaves the question of ventilation... Maybe I'll look at reenforcing the roof instead.

What is your existing roof? I'm on my cell phone right now with a lousy connection, so if you posted a picture I apologize if I've not seen it. Right now, materials prices being what they are, all the roof for all the structures I'm building for my animals are five the sheet metal on 2 by 4 rafters with one by four purlins. Rafters are set to foot on Center. That's strong enough that I can walk on it, and so can my goat. Confident it will support the weight of several coyote on the a typical eight foot span