Help with installing a window and vents on my coop!

[TheYLWFlock]

Hey guys!

So when I joined a few weeks ago, one of my first posts was about my coop. Weeelll.... I very quickly learned that it was not “the perfect coop” that I had thought it was, lol! It needed ventilation and a window. So we’ve been procrastinating... going on trips and filling weekends with other things and—oh no, the chicks are too big to be inside! They are 4.5 weeks and definitely a bit crowded in their basement brooder box. So we need to REALLY quickly finish this whole thing by next Sunday/Monday.

The run is almost complete, it just needs hardware cloth around the whole thing, and to be connected to the coop. We were planning on doing all 4 sides with hardware cloth as well as the top and bottom. For the bottom we thought that we would do the whole thing as wire and then cover it with dirt. Is this ok to do? Also, we are going to cover half of it with a wood roof for shade and rain/snow protection. Here are some pictures of the run.
The door:

We will have a secure lock on it:

Some views from far away.

Now, for the coop. I am planning on adding two vents to the coop, one on each side. I was thinking of just buying the premade screw on vents for outdoor use. We’re not sure how exactly to install it though. We have insulation in our coop walls so it might be kind of hard to cut through (yeah, yeah, ventilation was an afterthought which is really stupid of us). Would we just cut a hole of appropriate size, “frame” it with scraps of plywood to keep the insulation in, then drill/screw the vent on from the outside? Advice appreciated!

We are doing it on each side like this:

We were just going to buy outdoor use vents like this, if that works?

Here is an idea of the thickness that we would need to cut through to put in the vents.

Next up, a window. I literally have no idea how to do this one... my thought was that perhaps we could cut another hole similar to that of the vent and then cover in hardware cloth. We would keep the piece of wood cut out, put a handle on it and then we would be able to cover the window if needed like a little puzzle piece. That way they get light in the coop, as well as more ventilation. Please keep in mind that the window would be facing into the run, so animals wouldn’t be able to get to it.

The “window” would go to the left of the chicken door:

Also we are going to add a lock where the roof owns just for added protection!

One thing we realized is that since we have a liftable roof, a bit of water/moisture can get in if it rains. We decided to cover it with some thick rubber stream liner. So yeah, just wanted to add that I guess!

You can see the crack where water was able to get in:

Not anymore!

Finally I just thought I’d show you the inside. Not too exciting, just a roost, two nest boxes and yeah!

Don’t judge, it needs a cleaning!

In total the run and coop is about 60 square feet and we are planning on no more than 4-5 hens in it. Tell me what you think!

 

[RNPAULIE69]

I would think with 4 or 5 grown hens you will want to change the roost from diagonal to straight across the back. There wont be enough room for those stuck on the ends it appears

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Ok thank you! Forgot to mention that a few will be bantams. Any ideas/advice on the ventilation/windows?

Thanks in advance!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would think with 4 or 5 grown hens you will want to change the roost from diagonal to straight across the back. There wont be enough room for those stuck on the ends it appears

I agree with this, the corners are unfortunately not usable roost space. For standard hens you ideally want 12" of roost space per bird. Also that beam looks to be on the thin side but you'd have to measure it to make sure... personally I think 2" diameter is about as small as you want to go.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Ok thank you, I’ll have to measure tomorrow! It’s about 2” across.

Any advice on ventilation/windows?

 

[rosemarythyme]

So we need to REALLY quickly finish this whole thing by next Sunday/Monday.

The run is almost complete, it just needs hardware cloth around the whole thing, and to be connected to the coop. We were planning on doing all 4 sides with hardware cloth as well as the top and bottom. For the bottom we thought that we would do the whole thing as wire and then cover it with dirt. Is this ok to do? Also, we are going to cover half of it with a wood roof for shade and rain/snow protection. Here are some pictures of the run.

Now, for the coop. I am planning on adding two vents to the coop, one on each side. I was thinking of just buying the premade screw on vents for outdoor use. We’re not sure how exactly to install it though. We have insulation in our coop walls so it might be kind of hard to cut through (yeah, yeah, ventilation was an afterthought which is really stupid of us). Would we just cut a hole of appropriate size, “frame” it with scraps of plywood to keep the insulation in, then drill/screw the vent on from the outside? Advice appreciated!

Next up, a window. I literally have no idea how to do this one... my thought was that perhaps we could cut another hole similar to that of the vent and then cover in hardware cloth. We would keep the piece of wood cut out, put a handle on it and then we would be able to cover the window if needed like a little puzzle piece. That way they get light in the coop, as well as more ventilation.

Keep in mind you can move the chicks to the coop first, and leave them in there a few days or even a week while finishing the run, so definitely focus on coop first if you're short on time.

Is the run meant to be moveable? If it's not a tractor, I would always prefer to see an apron instead of putting wire on the floor, as that's much better for the chickens' feet.

Your plan for vents sounds fine, that's how mine are pretty much done. I do have a layer of 1/4" hardware cloth inside the coop as well for extra protection but that's probably overkill. Main thing is to make sure the chickens can't get to the insulation!

Same goes for the window, I think your idea should work.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Keep in mind you can move the chicks to the coop first, and leave them in there a few days or even a week while finishing the run, so definitely focus on coop first if you're short on time.

Is the run meant to be moveable? If it's not a tractor, I would always prefer to see an apron instead of putting wire on the floor, as that's much better for the chickens' feet.

Your plan for vents sounds fine, that's how mine are pretty much done. I do have a layer of 1/4" hardware cloth inside the coop as well for extra protection but that's probably overkill. Main thing is to make sure the chickens can't get to the insulation!

Same goes for the window, I think your idea should work.

Thank you so much!

I think that it is a good idea to have the chicks in the coop while we finish the run. We will get started on the coop ASAP!

No, the run will be stationary. We were just going to do the whole floor wire because width of the roll of wire fits the width of the bottom exactly, and we thought that it would be easy... it would be covered with about 3ish inches of dirt, would it still harm their feet?

Glad to hear that the vent and window ideas work! We will make sure that the girls can’t get to the insulation, lol!
Thank you for your reply!

 

[TheYLWFlock]

@rosemarythyme you helped me on my first coop question too! Thank you.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No, the run will be stationary. We were just going to do the whole floor wire because width of the roll of wire fits the width of the bottom exactly, and we thought that it would be easy... it would be covered with about 3ish inches of dirt, would it still harm their feet?

The main issue is chickens will dig, and that dirt will likely be easy to scratch through after being replaced on top of the wire. For an adult chicken digging down 3" isn't that hard.

 

[rosemarythyme]

@rosemarythyme you helped me on my first coop question too! Thank you.

You're welcome. It's always a learning process on here!