Enough ventilation

[Chuckie chicken]

enough photo there I can see what you did - 2x4s @ 2'oc, just like I framed my metal roofing, didn't see a call out for your purlins, or their spacing. 1x4s also 2' oc?

Most likely 2', I winged it. I built it last spring, and haven't been in Canada for almost 6 months, so

 

[Pioneertown mama]

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

I also live in the high desert and our temp runs almost as high as yours. This is what I did. 1) I cut round holes in the East side with a circle door hole saw maker, across the back every few inches at the top. 2) I cut a large rectangle piece out of the floor and put 1/4 inch wire in there. Then with the wood I cut away, I added drawer knobs so when winter comes I place it back in the cutout hole.
I also made my coop off the ground so that they have shade. We have our run and coop all inclosed with 1/4 inch wire too with shade cloth over it on top.
This was hard to describe so I hope you get the picture.
My coop is not a walk-in

 

[Vicker]

Think portable coop. I'm in Texas and definitely agree that the summer heat is harder on them than freezing temps. My main coop is metal with expanded metal in the front and halfway up the back. I cover the openings during the winter to block the wind, leaving plenty of cracks for ventilation. I turn it seasonally, so the openings face N-S in Summer and E-W in winter. I position it under a shade tree in summer. I have another chickshaw type coop that is even more portable. The entire bottom is open-air, with 1 inch hardware cloth to let the poop fall through and wooden slats for them to walk and sit on.

 

[Youngstead]

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

I’m in Buckeye. Hoop coops and shade cloth. In the winter time I wrap it with a solid tarp. It’s not a perfect set up but I let my birds free range at the day. I have misters in there for the summer time.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

View attachment 3046916
I’m in Buckeye. Hoop coops and shade cloth. In the winter time I wrap it with a solid tarp. It’s not a perfect set up but I let my birds free range at the day. I have misters in there for the summer time.

Honestly, I'm surprised you have actual coops inside your hoops, instead of simply attaching a roosting bar or two, wall to wall, and hanging some nesting boxes off the wires.

 

[Brooks_]

Honestly, I'm surprised you have actual coops inside your hoops, instead of simply attaching a roosting bar or two, wall to wall, and hanging some nesting boxes off the wires.

Looks to be both.

 

[Jbird95]

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?

I also live here in Scottsdale. Last summer we built a new coop that includes the cheapest ac unit Lowes had. We linked it to our Alexa plug so we can turn it on from anywhere as needed. Previously our coop was located under 2 olive trees which provided shade, had to remove trees so ac has worked out tremendously and the electric cost is minimal. We have a small window and the entrance door to their roosting box as ventilation. The rest of the coop is chicken wire. Coyotes walk down our fence wall regularly as well as an occasional raccoon and so far so good.

 

[father0fnine]

I’m in Buckeye. Hoop coops and shade cloth. In the winter time I wrap it with a solid tarp. It’s not a perfect set up but I let my birds free range at the day. I have misters in there for the summer time.

Misters. I keep thinking about them. I tried them one year and the chickens ended up swimming in their run instead of... well, running. Way to much mud created. I still want to do them. I put a mister on my goat, too, and didn't seem to have a problem. I keep threatening to try again but, well -- goats. I have to buy a new sprinkler system... they found a way to get the middle part of the hose to sag just enough...

 

[father0fnine]

I also live here in Scottsdale. Last summer we built a new coop that includes the cheapest ac unit Lowes had. We linked it to our Alexa plug so we can turn it on from anywhere as needed. Previously our coop was located under 2 olive trees which provided shade, had to remove trees so ac has worked out tremendously and the electric cost is minimal. We have a small window and the entrance door to their roosting box as ventilation. The rest of the coop is chicken wire. Coyotes walk down our fence wall regularly as well as an occasional raccoon and so far so good.

I actually had a coyote pop open my commercially made coop. Not sure how, exactly. The coop itself wasn't damaged, but I lost my entire silkie flock. That's what's got me on my kick for "real" hen housing. I'm going to have to figure out safe shelters for my goats, too. Before, I was only concerned about shade and a place for my hens to lay. I plugged the hole the 'yote used to get in and sprayed mountain lion pee (who'da thunk I'd be buying pee off Amazon one day). Hasn't been back in the yard but I have caught him since on a trail cam sniffin' at the places I've sprayed. So far, he leaves pretty quickly.

 

[Youngstead]

Honestly, I'm surprised you have actual coops inside your hoops, instead of simply attaching a roosting bar or two, wall to wall, and hanging some nesting boxes off the wires.

Those dog boxes and partial “coop” are used for nesting boxes or something for my girls to jump up on. I just have the 2x4s for roosting bar.

The only time I feel bad is during monsoon season. I’m sure the rain feels good but the wind can be rough. Hence the plywood back and the block wall to help wind break.

It’s not super predator proof but I have3 big dogs and a fully blocked wall fence and king of a farm land island. I have a few falcons in the area and my roo watches them.