help me with my ventilation!

[keekerschickens]

This is a picture of the coop we're in the process of building (not our coop, just a sample picture) I'm trying to figure out the ventilation issue. The plan seems to want us to open both of those sets of doors (32"x24") to allow for ventilation. (This would mean opening those doors which will face east -pop door and south - other doors)
But what about ventilation at night when everything is locked up? Or in the winter when only (probably one side) of the pop door is open? Is that too much in winter? Would that just allow a cold draft in??
I'm planning on having the run extend from the side with the pop door and include the space underneath the coop. If I drill holes where that sunburst design is and cover them with hardware cloth, would that be sufficient?
I know to keep the vents higher than the roosts to avoid drafts but I just feel confused on where to place additional vents and HOW to do it.
Any help is much appreciated!!

 

[rustychick2000]

My coops have ventilation vents at the top. They are holes wit 5 inch diameter covered with screen.

 

[keekerschickens]

My coops have ventilation vents at the top. They are holes wit 5 inch diameter covered with screen.

is there a hole on each side?

 

[rustychick2000]

They are in the top back and there are three. Only on the Back though.

 

[mountainbass]

check where the corrugated metal roof meets the coop walls
It should be a hole every rise of the metal
That could be the ventilation
Also check for daylight from the inside of the coop looking where the two sheets of metal roof meet
That angled piece on top of the seem could be covering a gap in between the two pieces left there for this purpose

 

[keekerschickens]

check where the corrugated metal roof meets the coop walls
It should be a hole every rise of the metal
That could be the ventilation
Also check for daylight from the inside of the coop looking where the two sheets of metal roof meet
That angled piece on top of the seem could be covering a gap in between the two pieces left there for this purpose

hmm I never thought about that. We were planning on a regular shingled roof. I had wondered about the metal roof!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! plan to make big windows in those doors, covered in hardware cloth (well secured!). Otherwise it will be impossible to keep the humidity managed. Also, open the soffits and add hardware cloth there. Mary

 

[keekerschickens]

Welcome!  plan to make big windows in those doors, covered in hardware cloth (well secured!).  Otherwise it will be impossible to keep the humidity managed.  Also, open the soffits and add hardware cloth there.  Mary

thank you! Will I need to cover the windows on the doors in the winter with plexiglass or can they stay open

 

[PapaChaz]

a couple of questions. mostly about how you put the roof on.

Did you completely block off any way for air to rise and go out at the peak of the roof? there should have been a gap between the metal that's covered by the ridge cap on the metal roof, that will allow some air to go out as heat rises it seeks a way out. If there is a gap there (hopefully) you should cover it with hardware cloth.

on the bottom edge of the roof on both sides, the space in between the rafters will allow for air flow up as well, if you left it open under the eave. Of course that will need to be covered in hardware cloth also. You'll get a lot more ventilation just with those two aspects built in than you realize.

You can always cut a hole on each end near the top and install a vent plate, something along the lines of

"http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-F...r-Soffit-Vent-in-White-4-Pack-RLSC4/100065701

or a metal plate that is directional. it won't let rain in very easily:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-F...Vent-in-White-EAC16X8W/100023618?N=5yc1vZc663

 

[Folly's place]

I use plastic on the west window in winter to block the wind. Ventilation is more important than heat! aart has a link to an excellent paper about ventilation; try to look it up. Mary