Help - Omlet Eglu owners - how to ventilate the roost?

[Bawkbok]

Those are great ideas @ChaosMom - thinking out of the box

I like number 2 but the roof is in three pieces and there are two metal bars that run the length from front to back which seem to hold the roof to the walls. Unless we could secure those somehow - 2x4s or something - I'm not sure what it would do to the integrity.

There is also a large opaque "window" that does not open, just provides light. It really serves no purpose so we're also going to replace that opening with hardware cloth. It will create a hole about 12" wide by 14" high. The air will come right at their bodies which I've read is bad, but it won't be a problem in summer. Windy and winter days is another issue. Once the plastic opaque part is removed there will be no way to close that hole off so we'll have to get creative.

I returned home today at 1:30 PM to find a hen in the nest. I immediately opened the back door and was hit with a blast of hot air. She was panting so hard and her face was fire engine red. I removed the door and opened the nest box door, exposing her completely to the outside without protection. Therefore, I had to stand on guard as there was a hawk circling over the yard and the dog was out. She was on the nest for 2.5 hours! The longest it's ever taken her to lay. I was concerned about dehydration and the affect the heat had on her was alarming. Today was "cool" at 85. We're heading into an extreme heat pattern for the next week or two with temps in the mid 90s. I definitely think I need to install more fans all around at minimum.
It's unfortunate we're currently stuck with a prefab but it is what it is right now.

How do you like the Nestera? They look like they might also get hot and have ventilation challenges, yes?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Those are great ideas @ChaosMom - thinking out of the box

I like number 2 but the roof is in three pieces and there are two metal bars that run the length from front to back which seem to hold the roof to the walls. Unless we could secure those somehow - 2x4s or something - I'm not sure what it would do to the integrity.

There is also a large opaque "window" that does not open, just provides light. It really serves no purpose so we're also going to replace that opening with hardware cloth. It will create a hole about 12" wide by 14" high. The air will come right at their bodies which I've read is bad, but it won't be a problem in summer. Windy and winter days is another issue. Once the plastic opaque part is removed there will be no way to close that hole off so we'll have to get creative.

I returned home today at 1:30 PM to find a hen in the nest. I immediately opened the back door and was hit with a blast of hot air. She was panting so hard and her face was fire engine red. I removed the door and opened the nest box door, exposing her completely to the outside without protection. Therefore, I had to stand on guard as there was a hawk circling over the yard and the dog was out. She was on the nest for 2.5 hours! The longest it's ever taken her to lay. I was concerned about dehydration and the affect the heat had on her was alarming. Today was "cool" at 85. We're heading into an extreme heat pattern for the next week or two with temps in the mid 90s. I definitely think I need to install more fans all around at minimum.
It's unfortunate we're currently stuck with a prefab but it is what it is right now.

How do you like the Nestera? They look like they might also get hot and have ventilation challenges, yes?

Oh, that’s terrible so early in the season! And it sounds like your coop has way more internal framing than ours. The window replacement sounds great, though.

The Nestera does get hot in direct sunlight, even in early March, and the ventilation certainly doesn’t approach 1 sq ft per bird, lol. It’s different from yours in that it is made of flat, rubbery recycled plastic panels that fit together like a 3D jigsaw puzzle. The entire back can be removed for cleaning, so that’s what I do, leaving the back off for the day. We almost always have light mountain breezes, so that’s works out great. Also, the run in which it sits is quite predator-proofed, so in a heat wave, it could be left that way overnight. The girls don’t like to sleep without it, though, and they make Pointed Remarks when I go out at night to lock up and find that the back is still off.

The lid to the nesting boxes is also removable (for egg collection), so it makes a nice, smaller alternative to leaving the back off. It would be awful if it rained, though.

We have a heavy-duty tarp over the half of the run where the coop sits on its platform, 2 1/2 feet above the litter level. There’s another ~2 1/2’ between the coop top and HWC/tarp ceiling, which really helps. But it collects rain, and the girls freak out when we push up on the ceiling to dump the water. (Also, we get drenched.) Work in progress. We’ll need a metal roof sooner rather than later.

Basically, these types of coops are meant for the high latitudes, meaning closer to the poles, where sunlight slants in lower than in the lower latitudes except in high summer. This is independent of ambient air temperatures, which are increasing in most areas, because it’s due to the Earth’s angle to the sun. We’re talking direct solar gain, as in solar panels. I think that if these UK companies want to truly develop their potential world markets, they will need to offer highly-modified versions of what works so well at (their) home.

This sounds like I don’t like the coop, but we love it! “We” including the pullets, who frequently hang out there throughout the day for their innumerable siestas. It’s just not designed for our area without adjustments.

A world map of the 50°N line, which barely goes through southernmost Britain. (There are no large land masses below 50°S, except Antarctica.)

Versus 36°N, where I am:

I’ll add a pic of the Nestera when I go out to do some way-overdue cleaning.

 

[Bawkbok]

Thank you for those details.

Also, the run in which it sits is quite predator-proofed, so in a heat wave, it could be left that way overnight. The girls don’t like to sleep without it, though, and they make Pointed Remarks when I go out at night to lock up and find that the back is still off.

I had to laugh at this. I tried leaving the auto door open at night to allow more yucky humid air in but they don't like it. They all pile up on the side with the plastic "window" and never use the side close to the door as evidenced by the lack of poop in the trays. So, that said, we close up every night which makes me feel like I've closed the door on the oven. Fans inside and out run 24x7 now, all in an effort to simply circulate nasty wet air. Geez, it's going to be a LONG hot summer. C'mon October!

I would love to see pics of your set up. Trying to picture it in my mind. Which model Nestera did you decide on?

I still need to take pics of the Pro coop - will try and remember to do that today. We're all just doing the best we can, aren't we?

Mountain breezes sound divine. Would love to know what those feel like. Blow some this way, please.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

This is the Nestera House model (sits just a few inches above the ground - no leg extensions) in large size. I bought it through Darth Bezos (Amazon) for a better price.

Here’s the shameful evidence of neglect. I’ve been sick for a week. The phone camera distorts sizes, of course.

How it sits in the run (that’s the removed back panel leaning against the run wall on the left)

For size perspective (17-week barred rock just outside the coop door)

Nest boxes with top removed - I’ve added nesting materials and fake eggs for when they get Ideas)

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Caught conspiring in the coop. The BR has claimed one of the nest boxes:

 

[Bawkbok]

Thanks for sharing those. It's virtually the same concept as the Omlet in terms of it's simply meant for roosting and nesting only, not really a place to hang out. The Omlet weighs a ton so once it's in place, that's it. In fact, it's probably easier to put together in place but without having completely level ground we construct in the garage and like a couple of pack mules, heave ho it out to the yard. I'm sure all the neighbors got a good laugh on that one. The comforting factor about the Omlet is due to the weight, we never worry about it flying away in hurricane force winds and we experienced two nasty ones last season. We do bring the girls into the house during a hurricane just due to the constant barrage of wind and sideways rain that feels like nails hitting your body. It would be terrifying to be in the run during those events even fully tarped out although they might be just fine; it makes me feel better having them under roof ---- and it's all about me!
The Nestera looks like it has decent ventilation though. Being black, that bugger would roast in the sun. I don't think you guys get as hot as we do. I like how you have it nestled in the run -- nice chicken digs.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Thanks for sharing those. It's virtually the same concept as the Omlet in terms of it's simply meant for roosting and nesting only, not really a place to hang out. The Omlet weighs a ton so once it's in place, that's it. In fact, it's probably easier to put together in place but without having completely level ground we construct in the garage and like a couple of pack mules, heave ho it out to the yard. I'm sure all the neighbors got a good laugh on that one. The comforting factor about the Omlet is due to the weight, we never worry about it flying away in hurricane force winds and we experienced two nasty ones last season. We do bring the girls into the house during a hurricane just due to the constant barrage of wind and sideways rain that feels like nails hitting your body. It would be terrifying to be in the run during those events even fully tarped out although they might be just fine; it makes me feel better having them under roof ---- and it's all about me!
The Nestera looks like it has decent ventilation though. Being black, that bugger would roast in the sun. I don't think you guys get as hot as we do. I like how you have it nestled in the run -- nice chicken digs.

It did roast in the sun, before the tarp. They were panting one afternoon in early March! It’s ok now.

But I do plan to move it to the east corner, which unfortunately means moving the tarp again. aargh

The run behind the Chaos Garden (officially turned over to the girls this summer; fencing still being fine-tuned)

 

[thecatumbrella]

We have a hen who likes to lay in the wee hours of the morning while still dark and the nest door is not open yet so she laid where she roosted - not good.

I had a girl that laid at 3am. Somehow she didn't poop in the nest area, even after finishing the night in there! Thought it was really unusual, so cool to hear you have a night layer too.

I would love to build a custom coop but in this muggy, buggy, constantly humid, hot climate I am reluctant to do so just due to insect issue and required maintenance of wood.

Same. The new flock also has feather feet, so I'm doing everything I can to keep the mites down.

There is also a large opaque "window" that does not open, just provides light. It really serves no purpose so we're also going to replace that opening with hardware cloth.

I like your thinking. Any reason the plastic piece can't pop back in for winter? I'm going to look into this, so thanks for the idea!

They all pile up on the side with the plastic "window" and never use the side close to the door as evidenced by the lack of poop in the trays.

YES! They've spend two nights in the Pro now, both times clumped against the clear plastic panel like moths clinging to the light.

The run behind the Chaos Garden (officially turned over to the girls this summer; fencing still being fine-tuned)

This is beautiful!

 

[Bawkbok]

I had a girl that laid at 3am. Somehow she didn't poop in the nest area, even after finishing the night in there! Thought it was really unusual, so cool to hear you have a night layer too.

Same. The new flock also has feather feet, so I'm doing everything I can to keep the mites down.

I like your thinking. Any reason the plastic piece can't pop back in for winter? I'm going to look into this, so thanks for the idea!

YES! They've spend two nights in the Pro now, both times clumped against the clear plastic panel like moths clinging to the light.

This is beautiful!

I like your thinking. Any reason the plastic piece can't pop back in for winter? I'm going to look into this, so thanks for the idea! ---

When we dismantle it, the intent is to cut it away in a manner we can just pop it back on over the hardware cloth for winter. I'll update this post after the work and let you know how the modification goes.

I can't wait to get these vents off and replace with the cloth; it's blazing hot here already. Fans run on medium speed in and out all night long for air movement. Girls emerge without any panting or distress so I think we're ok for now. Eventually, someone ends up sleeping by the door as the poop tray indicates. Don't have a coop camera so not sure who it is and can't tell based on the poop quality as it all looks alike everywhere - which is a good thing.

It's nice to hear someone else is having the same kind of experience as us with this product. Thanks for sharing your update.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I can't wait to get these vents off and replace with the cloth; it's blazing hot here already.

The "adjustable" design of the Pro's vents is such BS. It moves a few millimeters between open and closed. Why bother, you know? And it will encourage people to shut them in winter, which only adds to the humidity!

It's such a love-hate relationship with Omlet stuff. I'm happy I found someone with similar criticisms.