Help!! Ventilation problem?

[jessshell]

We just got done building a coop for our 8 Chickens. We did the roof kind of elevated so they would have ventilation without a draft. We noticed the straw is damp in the coop though. is it due to lack of ventilation? what else should we improve? (nest box isn't being used because they are too young and the roost is temporary, we are putting a permanent multi leveled one in this weekend)

 

[RoosterML]

The last couple days have been warm though so all the snow has melted.

That will surely cause the humidity to rise. Ventilation looks good to me. If the ground under your coop is damp that will likely transfer into the plywood floor if you don’t have enough ventilation under your coop also.
One side note. I would remove the metal roosting bar. A nice 3”-4” dia. branch should be easy to come by.

 

[NatJ]

We noticed the straw is damp in the coop though.

we are located in Indiana. We've already had some chilly nights (in the negatives) with some snow. The last couple days have been warm though so all the snow has melted.

The wet straw might just be from chickens coming in with wet or snowy feet.

If the chickens go outside for a bit, then come in to eat and drink, then go back out, then come in again. Or they step in the snow, don't like it, come in to dry their feet, go out and come in again....

 

[RoosterML]

we are removing the metal bar this weekend, we only did it for a quick roost bar for them but we bought wooden bars that we are going to put in for them but I will try to find a good branch for them to throw in there in the mean time! thank you

and for the bottom ventilation, we did add thick insulation between the plywood and the ground, would that help prevent this from happening or would it still transfer? It's also a raised coop so it's not sitting directly on the ground.
sorry for so many questions, this is the first coop that I've built and I want to make sure it's done right.

Fiberglass Insulation acts like a sponge with moisture so make sure no moisture can get to it. I personally would not put it.
If you find a nice branch don’t waste money on buying a roost bar.
Your coop looks like it should work well. 2 thumbs up

With the coop being elevated that will help dry things out with air flow. If in the future you stick your hand under the coop and it’s really damp or moldy you can do the following. Lay a nice heavy plastic (6mil) directly on the ground under the coop and cover the plastic with some stone. Very easy way to eliminate any moisture coming up from the ground. That is only if you notice a problem.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A hygrometer inside the coop is helpful. If the humidity is 10% above ambient, you don't have enough ventilation.

 

[aart]

I just updated my profile. I live in west Lafayette, so NW Indiana.

Did you scroll down and hit 'save'?

Make sure it is accurate. Hygrometers are notoriously inaccurate out of the box.
You can put it outside out of the sun or wind and see if the reading is close to what the weather channel or accuweather are citing for your current humidity.

..or you could use the salt test:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

That is correct, but if you look at the pictures closely, you will see that the pop door doesn't actually have a door.

It probably should have a door tho, cause that chicken wire is not predator proof.

.The problem there is blowing rain can blow right in the coop.

Hmmm...maybe....would have to be blowing pretty darn hard...something to check out tho. Extending the fascia down lower would cure that.

 

[imnukensc]

Looks like you have adequate ventilation to me. Probably just higher humidity this time of year. Where are you located?

 

[jessshell]

That will surely cause the humidity to rise. Ventilation looks good to me. If the ground under your coop is damp that will likely transfer into the plywood floor if you don’t have enough ventilation under your coop also.
One side note. I would remove the metal roosting bar. A nice 3”-4” dia. branch should be easy to come by.

we are removing the metal bar this weekend, we only did it for a quick roost bar for them but we bought wooden bars that we are going to put in for them but I will try to find a good branch for them to throw in there in the mean time! thank you

and for the bottom ventilation, we did add thick insulation between the plywood and the ground, would that help prevent this from happening or would it still transfer? It's also a raised coop so it's not sitting directly on the ground.
sorry for so many questions, this is the first coop that I've built and I want to make sure it's done right.

 

[aart]

We noticed the straw is damp in the coop though. is it due to lack of ventilation?

Any damper than the straw outside?
Ventilation looks pretty good to me.

It's humid as all get out here in SW MI.
Are you in northern or southern IN?
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

that is a great idea! thank you! I just ordered one off amazon so I'll be able to check

Make sure it is accurate. Hygrometers are notoriously inaccurate out of the box.
You can put it outside out of the sun or wind and see if the reading is close to what the weather channel or accuweather are citing for your current humidity.

... I'm just really worried about them staying warm through the cold days/nights

Please don't worry. You may think it is cold but they don't. Chickens go to bed wearing their winter down coats, not pajamas. They are adaptable to a wide range of climates. Red Jungle fowl (chicken ancestors) range from tropical SE Asia to the Himalayan foot hills and many of the breeds we currently raise were developed in much harsher climates than Indiana.
I don't recommend this but one of my hens has been sleeping in a tree for 3 months through temps down to 10F and inches of snow. She has free access to a large coop where all of her flockmates sleep yet shows up every morning to be with the flock and healthy as anything. Do you know why? Fresh air.