Help with ventilation issue

[Julesstarohio56]

This is my first winter with chickens. We had a great spring, summer and fall, apart from a few predator deaths, but they love free ranging. So far this winter I’ve lost two hens straight off the roost. We have a flat corrugated plastic roof, rain tight, corrugated metal sided coop that backs up to a partially insulated dog house/run type of structure. My problem is that we have 100% humidity in the coop side nearly every hour, every day. We’ve uncovered windows on two sides to allow for air flow but it hasn’t helped. There is a pop door we open in the morning that leads to the other side and then into the run. What can I do to get ventilation to work properly, especially since I really don’t have rafter areas on the coop side?
We live in north central Ohio and the coop was built by the previous owners. I’ve attached pictures. Thanks in advance.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Keep the windows uncovered 24/7. Make bigger windows. You don't need to be concerned with temperature. Your chickens need oxygen and air exchange. The cold temperatures are of no threat to them. The pop door provides zero ventilation when it is closed 14+ hours a night.

 

[RoosterML]

Some exterior photos would be very helpful in trying to assist you. If you have a dirt floor it will be tough.

 

[Julesstarohio56]

Keep the windows uncovered 24/7. Make bigger windows. You don't need to be concerned with temperature. Your chickens need oxygen and air exchange. The cold temperatures are of no threat to them. The pop door provides zero ventilation when it is closed 14+ hours a night.

We have 2 sides of windows and I need to keep the draft off at the roost. My husband wants to take all but the length that is right by their roost in the corner. Will that help with ventilation? By the way, we only have 6 hens and a rooster in a 16x8 coop. Also, I thought it is better to have ventilation above the chickens, but I don’t know how to do that w/o letting rain in.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Eliminating rain intrusion is a good thing but not as important as fresh air.
I had a hen living in a tree for 3 months recently till a predator took her.
You can't keep a draft out of a tree. She slept through 10 F temperatures with both rain and snow.
I give no concern to drafts. My last two buildings have huge windows on both east and west walls at roost height. The cold winter wind blows right across te birds. I've had birds living in there for several years down to -19F with no ill effects. No illnesses thanks to the big ventilation.

 

[Julesstarohio56]

Some exterior photos would be very helpful in trying to assist you. If you have a dirt floor it will be tough.

Ok, here are some exterior pics.

 

[RoosterML]

Leave the plastic up in the blue box area to keep the wind off the roost. Remove plastic in red area and anywhere else.

Can you add ventilation in this red boxed area?

 

[Julesstarohio56]

Eliminating rain intrusion is a good thing but not as important as fresh air.
I had a hen living in a tree for 3 months recently till a predator took her.
You can't keep a draft out of a tree. She slept through 10 F temperatures with both rain and snow.
I give no concern to drafts. My last two buildings have huge windows on both east and west walls at roost height. The cold winter wind blows right across te birds. I've had birds living in there for several years down to -19F with no ill effects. No illnesses thanks to the big ventilation.

Nope, you can’t keep a draft out of a tree!! I’ll have hubby take off a few more panels. We monitor the temp and humidity via wifi something or other—he’s a techy guy. We are taking the water bucket out tonight to go on the “dog” side, too. Thanks to all for the speedy input!

 

[Julesstarohio56]

Leave the plastic up in the blue box area to keep the wind off the roost. Remove plastic in red area and anywhere else.
View attachment 1984688

Exactly my conclusion. Thanks!

 

[RoosterML]

Exactly my conclusion. Thanks!

You may want to lower the roost about a foot to be well below any cross breezes. Just an idea