how do you test for drafts inside the coop?

[karmical]

I actually HAVE thought about sleeping out there with them!! Might be fun to have a slumber party with my sweet birds...But as far as the draft-check goes

, I think I'm gonna try the candle idea...

Thanks everybody...and thanks Broncbuster for the great explanation of drafts vs. ventilation! I finally get it!!!!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

A disposable lighter might work better than a candle. At least if you drop it, it shuts off.

The most important place in the coop to not have a draft, is where the chickens are roosting at night.

 

[karmical]

Good thinking Woodlandwoman....a lighter would be safer than a candle.

I'll be checking out that roost area tonight!!!!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I'm a klutz, so I have to think about things like that!

 

[tazcat70]

Quote:
I have a roost. Plus roost like steps that lead up to the roost. So no shortage of roosting space. I think that they lay on the bottom because they didn't have a hen to teach them to roost. I put them up there sometimes but they don't stay.

I am not planning on a heat source.

Tonya

 

[ivan3]

Tazcat70, ours didn't have a hen to teach `em. The only time we'd find `em "puppy piled" was when we'd get home a little after dark and they had been in their `day run' (with roosts available) and were getting too cool, as soon as we'd bring `em in this is what they'd do:

 

[broncbuster07]

Ivan, are you saying that they huddled together because they were cold?

 

[ivan3]

Don't know what the setup there is like or exactly how much bigger Tazcat's girls are. I'm just going by our experience (at this age our guys would huddle when the temp. dropped into the upper `50's). Never saw them pile up otherwise.

 

[broncbuster07]

Good information! Thanks.

 

[ivan3]

Broncobuster07, I should be more specific. We have 11ft. of 2"x4" roosting space and they will PILE UP where the boards intersect in the SE corner of the coop, transforming themselves into ONE BIG CHOOK that requires a hand count to be sure they are all there. However, they do this on all but the most stifling of nights and they never have slept on the floor of the coop regardless of the weather.

Take care,
John