Having Frostbite issues. Ventilation?

[Anethema]

Hey everyone.

I'm in Northern Canada and after a -40(f/c same) cold snap, I've found my 2 roosters and 1 hen with a bigger comb has some pretty bad frostbite.

From doing some reading I don't have proper ventilation.

The coops are 8x12' and have a 7 foot high ceiling which I believe is insulated (I didn't build the coops). The eaves are fully open except for wire, but those only open to the 'attic'

The ceiling has a few like 1"x4' slits where the paneling that makes it didn't fully overlap but that is essentially all the contact the main room has with the ventilated attic.

So obviously I don't have near enough ventilation.

The question now is: What do I do ?

Should I just rip the ceiling right out so they have the open eaves? Should I cut ventilation holes in the main room at the ceiling level? Is -40 too cold without some kind of heat (in addition to needing the ventilation of course)?

I'll snap some pics shortly to give everyone a better idea.

EDIT: Here is an album https://imgur.com/gallery/cY61i

Thanks!

 

[Hamiam]

@aart is my "go to ventilation guy". I'm sure pictures will help.

 

[Welshies]

Yes pictures would be a great help. I am in the same area as you.

 

[Anethema]

Yes pictures would be a great help. I am in the same area as you.

Added an album to the original post. There is essentially no ventilation just that strip to the atic, which has insulation. The attic is ventilated and the doors of course don't seal perfectly etc, but obviously it isn't enough. I didn't go too nuts because Storey's book for poultry says to cover ALL ventilation in winter, and that the cracks in the door etc would be enough. Obviously not!

So I'm just wondering if I should just pull that ceiling right off? Then the open eaves would ventilate pretty well. Or just put in-wall stuff?

Thanks!

 

[Anethema]

Oh I also have a window there but I'm scared to open it. The nesting boxes are across from it, and it is on the windward side of the house. I think it would be too drafty.

 

[Welshies]

You could crack that window open, or consider putting a couple small vents under the roosts. Keep vents a foot above roosts, and don't listen to the 1 square foot of ventilation per bird or per 10 sq ft of coop space rule. Up here in Canada I find it doesn't work at all. I have about 6 inches by 14 inches and it works well. Here is my setup :

On the back I have a nice wide window. Now you can see here I have about 6 inches of vents by 8 feet. I made the mistake of putting mine at the highest point, which lets out all the heat. Since then I've covered 4 out of 6 (covered the ones closest to the roosts) with a dense layer of hay- breathable but insulating.

 

[Anethema]

You could crack that window open, or consider putting a couple small vents under the roosts. Keep vents a foot above roosts, and don't listen to the 1 square foot of ventilation per bird or per 10 sq ft of coop space rule. Up here in Canada I find it doesn't work at all. I have about 6 inches by 14 inches and it works well. Here is my setup :
View attachment 1233095
On the back I have a nice wide window. Now you can see here I have about 6 inches of vents by 8 feet. I made the mistake of putting mine at the highest point, which lets out all the heat. Since then I've covered 4 out of 6 (covered the ones closest to the roosts) with a dense layer of hay- breathable but insulating.

Well if I tear the ceiling out there will still be the roof and the waves are fully open. You think that would do the trick?

 

[Hamiam]

Oh my! Can you post a pic of the outside & what the attic looks like? Just load to the thread, not sure everyone will go look at the album

Added an album to the original post. There is essentially no ventilation just that strip to the atic, which has insulation. The attic is ventilated and the doors of course don't seal perfectly etc, but obviously it isn't enough. I didn't go too nuts because Storey's book for poultry says to cover ALL ventilation in winter, and that the cracks in the door etc would be enough. Obviously not!

So I'm just wondering if I should just pull that ceiling right off? Then the open eaves would ventilate pretty well. Or just put in-wall stuff?

Thanks!

 

[Anethema]

View attachment 1233134Oh my! Can you post a pic of the outside & what the attic looks like? Just load to the thread, not sure everyone will go look at the album

I can’t get into the attic. Here is a bad pic of the outside. Basically a 3 inch gap around the entire top wall that we wired up.

 

[WhatAboutBob?]

Opening up that ceiling would give you a ton more ventilation. You can take a look at my coop, the link is on my profile. I have open eaves, wired. Just studs open under the roof.