holes in coop

[k625]

Ok, so I know I have asked this question on other posts, but still have not gotten a response...I have my little "coop" you could call it that goes inside of my run..if that makes sense. I live in fl so I didnt feel the need to build a big house connected to my run, so I am using a piece of a desk that I found, and it has about a 2 inch hole on top and then a 8 inch X 5 ince chunk out of it on the front. I would like to know how many holes to put on the sides for good ventilation. I dont not want to cook my chickens in there in the summer, but want them to be warm in the winter. So, how many holes and where???

 

[k625]

Anyone.... any body out there...lol...these little guys must go in coop tomorrow night, I really dont want to wake up to baked chickens!!

 

[karmical]

Hmmm...I'm trying to picture it....it's a piece of a desk? Try to post a picture!

How cold does it get at night there? I'd probably be more worried about them getting too hot....so I guess, to put in my 2-cents worth, I'd say make that desk into Swiss cheese!!

 

[k625]

thank you SO much for posting back...I will post a pic for you..that is what my friend told me to do, but I wanted to have at least a second opinion.

 

[karmical]

Ahhhhh....Now I get it...a picture IS worth a 1000 words

That looks like some nice solid, thick wood.

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that for ventilation you want "venting" (a.k.a. holes) on the north and south sides of a coop. From the picture, it looks like you don't really intend on completely closing them in though, do you? If you were to just use it as a 3-sided shelter, I'd face the solid wall to the west and maybe drill a few holes up high on the north and south and call it a day.

 

[k625]

You can kind of see a hole on top, I put mesh wire over that, and the hole you can see next to the door I covered with mesh too. It sits as is in the coop on 2 cinder blocks as of right now. I built a ramp to go up to the door also. I have already put holes on either side of it, just went a little crazy with the drill lol, so you thin I should just add some more on top and bottom, add shavings, and I will be all set. They can feel free to go in during the day, but they will be securly buckeled in at night lol. Thanks again so much!!

 

[mdbucks]

do you close the front? or does it sit just like that?

If you close up the front, I might drill acouple of big holes(with hole saw for installing a door 2-21/2 inch in the back the front opening will let in plenty of air, if front stays as pictured I wouldn't do anything more to it, it has plenty of ventilation(one wall is wide open) You may want to consider closing the front some in case it does get cold some heat may get held in.

is this out of the weather? if not it is probably pressboard, which will not last too long once it gets rained on a couple of times. you may need to consider putting some type of roof so rain will not puddle on top of it.

 

[k625]

The front gets closed, or will get closed at night. As of right now I have the part where the drill is open, with mesh, the hole on top open with mesh over, and then about 20 holes on either side of the thing. This thing is inside of my coop wich is 8x8x8 and has a metal roof on top. This is kind of temporary, but I know what you mean about the weather. I just want the mto have enough air, and its one of those things I guess I would rather start with too much air, than come out to dead chickens. I really appreciate your help..I hope this makes everything more clear on what my plan is.

 

[OzarkGuinea]

How about taking that door off the front and building a full sized door frame with sturdy hinges that covers the whole front. Then cover that with hardware cloth?

 

[k625]

that would be great if I had building skills lol. My skills are slim to none. Seriously..I had to hire someone to build my whole coop for me. Its just my mom and I, my dad passed away about a year ago, and I know its not an excuse for a woman to be handy...but im far from handy. So that is why im using the gazillion holes idea lol.