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

[CabritaChicks]

I didn't realize you were another Eglu victim!

What stinks is it's SO GOOD in every other season. We're planning a coop build now, and it will basically be the Omlet with more headspace, windows, and huge ventilation screens at the top. Of course, by the time we're done, it will be cool outside!

Yeah—here it just goes from hot to hotter. It never drops below 75°F at night, with at least 60% humidity—and during the rainy season? Like today, it’s 97°F with 90% humidity.

That thing we bought just trapped heat (and moisture with the birdie babes adding their body-heat to humidity). We thought, “Oh, plastic! No rust from the salt spray! Easy to clean! So compact!” Blah blah blah. Coop #1 and temporary #2 drained our wallets with constant modifications and fixes. Honestly, we should’ve just built one right the first time. Lesson learned. Now this last one (number 3) is kick-ass.

I’ll be posting our new coop soon as an article (almost done!)—designed specifically for hot climates, bad backs, arthritis, and minimal cleaning effort—and it doesn’t look like an eyesore. Hopefully it helps someone else skip the headache of all coop designs that definitely were designed for someone other than me!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I’ll be posting our new coop soon as an article (almost done!)—designed specifically for hot climates, bad backs, arthritis, and minimal cleaning effort—and it doesn’t look like an eyesore. Hopefully it helps someone else skip the headache of all coop designs that definitely were designed for someone other than me!

I can't wait to see it!

 

[Bawkbok]

We tried for a while to come up with a solution to raise the roof, but the coop would just lose all security (and my run is NOT secure from bears).

They’re not laying yet, so this solution only works for 7-12 more weeks. We previously had a night layer as well!

That’s horrifying! What the heck happened??

What happened was a chicken was standing part way in the door with only it's neck and head sticking out. The auto door closed on it, not stopping, the chicken didn't move. There wasn't enough body space for the auto door crush mechanism to recognize and object was in the way. Fortunately, I was there to see this happen and I sprung into action shoving the bird inside at the last minute.
On another occasion, (same door), a chicken was standing in the doorway butt end sticking out. Again the door closed on its tail feathers -- all the way closed. The birds tail was caught in the door.
A recalibration did not address the issue. I just don't trust it. It seems the crusher mechanism does not encompass the entire opening, only in the middle. It should recognize any obstruction from top to bottom, but doesn't.

 

[Bawkbok]

I’ll be posting our new coop soon as an article (almost done!)—designed specifically for hot climates, bad backs, arthritis, and minimal cleaning effort—and it doesn’t look like an eyesore. Hopefully it helps someone else skip the headache of all coop designs that definitely were designed for someone other than me!

I can't wait to see your build and read the article. You hit the nail on the head with the requirements.
I'm forever looking at how I can modify it for improvements. To build a walk in structure would require permitting that the county won't approve because we already have a shed, which is falling apart as it's wood and used for storage. Everything breaks down in this hot sun and constant humidity. Always battling this stinking weather.

 

[thecatumbrella]

What happened was a chicken was standing part way in the door with only it's neck and head sticking out. The auto door closed on it, not stopping, the chicken didn't move. There wasn't enough body space for the auto door crush mechanism to recognize and object was in the way. Fortunately, I was there to see this happen and I sprung into action shoving the bird inside at the last minute.
On another occasion, (same door), a chicken was standing in the doorway butt end sticking out. Again the door closed on its tail feathers -- all the way closed. The birds tail was caught in the door.
A recalibration did not address the issue. I just don't trust it. It seems the crusher mechanism does not encompass the entire opening, only in the middle. It should recognize any obstruction from top to bottom, but doesn't.

Wow. Between this, the heat retention, someone’s pullet dislocating a leg through the roosting tray, and someone else’s bird hanging from the old ladder… the thing’s starting to feel like a death trap.

 

[Bawkbok]

Oh No!! I didn't read about those other situations. How awful. Yeah, regrets are hard to live with and this is a huge $$$ regret. I was thinking climate first and ease of maintenance as my health is not the best. Live and learn and learn all over. Waiting for the perfect hot buggy weather coop design and the perfect waterer. They don't exist.