Help with walk in coop plan

[Rachela]

I found a walk in coop plan to start building our coop.
One of the steps of the plan, they have adding inside spacers between the rafters to secure closer.
Would this close it up too much in regards to ventilation? We live in the Midwest so do get cold winters.

 

[rc4u]

you dont have pic or style listed but i have my daughters old a frame play house and a wall built under one side so one side is vertical and other at 45 deg, door on end and what would be called soffits on house is screened and is lots of ventilation. i have next to rear of my shop so that is wind protected side.

 

[Rachela]

you dont have pic or style listed but i have my daughters old a frame play house and a wall built under one side so one side is vertical and other at 45 deg, door on end and what would be called soffits on house is screened and is lots of ventilation. i have next to rear of my shop so that is wind protected side.

Yes attached image. Where they show 2x4’s for spacers, wouldn’t it be better to put hardware cloth for ventilation?

 

[rc4u]

yes it would in very cold you can staple like i do with cloth over the wire and still has vents. in my state ND it very cold many nites in a row.. i have never lost chickens to cold even -40 below. its always warmer in coop.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Are there any other vents in the plans?

In my coops I do not have spacers in the spaces above the walls. I moved those inward about 10" and put hardware cloth from the top of the sidewall, under the rafters and attached to the spacers I had moved.
I hope that description is clear enough.

I looked...I don't have a picture in my kindle.

 

[Rachela]

Are there any other vents in the plans?

In my coops I do not have spacers in the spaces above the walls. I moved those inward about 10" and put hardware cloth from the top of the sidewall, under the rafters and attached to the spacers I had moved.
I hope that description is clear enough.

I looked...I don't have a picture in my kindle.

No other vents noted. Will add a window but hoping to have some vents always open

 

[Rachela]

No other vents noted. Will add a window but hoping to have some vents always open

Yes trying to visualize the 10” adjustment

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yes trying to visualize the 10” adjustment

Ran out and took a couple pictures.


Instead of ON the sidewall the spacers sit inside the coop.

Hardware cloth attached under the rafters inside the coop.

Left the underside of my roof overhang open.

Yes it is very dusty right now. Spring cleaning has not happened yet.

 

[Rachela]

Ran out and took a couple pictures.

View attachment 2090157
Instead of ON the sidewall the spacers sit inside the coop.
View attachment 2090160
Hardware cloth attached under the rafters inside the coop.
View attachment 2090159
Left the underside of my roof overhang open.

Yes it is very dusty right now. Spring cleaning has not happened yet.

Yes thank you so much this helps.

 

[bobhoke]

Hey
The cloth is only going to collect dust if it’s up high - scratch it. Waste of time and money. To prevent excess dust build up you need proper ventilation. That means the dust needs someplace to go. You need low, mid and high ventilation 360’ in the coop while ensuring your birds security from predation. I live in N. MI and he’s right. It’s hard to lose a feathered bird to cold if you block all drafts/wind. If you don’t you and your birds are screwed. According to some (BS) literature, they start dying around (-) 20F (more BYC BS). I get to that temp often and never lose a bird - no wind (thick closed walls). Also no heaters. If you have 10-15 birds they’ll huddle on the roost or low in a corner and be fine. The key to vent ports is to block and redirect wind prudently. That means no cold wind directly on the birds, but air circulation isn’t bad. It’s really common sense. Good luck.