Exhaust Question

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Your first problem is not lack of ventilation. It is structral heat.

The dark paint is collecting solar energy and there is no insulation or radiant barrier to prevent that heat from transfering to the interior. It looks like the roof is, fortunately, not dark colored.

The first thing you need for all two seasons in Wisconsin is insulation.

 

[CityChook]

Couple thoughts here:

1: That is a very cute coop. Now you need to make it appropriate for your situation.... ie: cold weather chickening.

2: You are going to need insulation. Seriously. I'd do it on the ceiling too.

3: Ventilation needs to have some cross breeze or ways to make the air move. You've gotten some good suggestions here for this already. Wondering: do your windows open from the top down? I like to keep the tops of my double hung windows open in the summer for ventilation. Looks like they are across from your large vent. This would work for summertime.

4: I saw someone else recommend putting in some vents at the gables. This is what I would do regardless of whatever else you do. Reason is because that large vent is directly across from their roost and you won't be able to use it in the wintertime. It will blow WAY too much cold air on the chooks. The ventilation needs to be up high. Get out your jig saw and cut 2 holes in each gable (4 holes total 8 or 10 inches MINIMUM - not 3 inch circles) and screw vents over the top to the exterior side. Then on the inside, attach the cut out pieces to a hinge/hook & eye so that they can be flipped up and hooked when weather gets bad. This fix should cost you no more than $40-50 and will make a world of difference inside the coop. Believe me, my DH was ready to KILL ME when I told him we were going to have to cut holes in his beautiful coop (as per Pats instructions), but we HAD to and it made a huge difference.

5: If you have no way to get electricity to the coop, then how are you planning on keeping the water thawed this winter? Electricity for the coop will unfortunately be a necessity in Wisconsin. You'll likely need to provide at least temporary heat when the going gets tough (remember -27F last winter??) if not 24/7 (which is what I do) and have a way to hook up a heated water dish to keep the water fluid. It might be necessary to rethink the location of your coop. Do you have any space that would work that is under some large trees, providing shade and natural cooling?

I'm in MN and am happy to help you hash out some ideas if you need help. Just PM me.

 

[SpunkyTheMonkey]

dude, your chickens are too big for that coop, and you're gonna have to cover that window with some kind of wire before the big one escapes.

 

[anthonyjames]

Spunky,

Thanks. I did catch them both last night as they were trying to escape through the run door.

Promptly in for Pizza and cuddle time.

 

[Big Chicken Little]

Quote:
There are some fans you can run on solar, they make fans for trucks that are 12v and have a protection cage around them. A solar panel and battery would work fine.

 

[Schroeder]

If it was me, I'd make another door with exactly the same dimensions using cedar for framing. I'd cover it securely with 1/2 in x 1/2 in hardware cloth. I'd trade it out when weather turns cold. In other words, a summer door and a winter door. This solution would work best if the door is on the north or east side of the coop.