How is my ventilation?

[Brooks_]

Instead of a thermostat, how about plugging the fan into a timer? granted a person would have to adjust the timer so the fan would turn on at appropriate times. I did that successfully with a swamp cooler I had when I lived in a warmer environment.

I agree with timer over temp. The nights can get very stagnant while temps may be "fine".

 

[Ccort]

Make sure any thermostat you get has an easy way to clean it out. I know my house thermostats can get clogged up with house dust and malfunction. All the more I would be concerned about using any thermostat with chicken dander in the air.



The older I get, the more I try to make things more simple. When I built my coop, I joined BYC forums and read, and read, and asked questions for almost a year before I built my coop. I learned a lot from the community and there is very little I would change in my build if I rebuilt it today. So that was a success, But I live in the great north where our temps get to -45F in mid-winter. My concerns were always on how cold the coop would get, never on how hot it might get like this thread's concern. Anyway, the only electrical use I need in my coop is the water heater to prevent the water from freezing in the winter. Other than that, I don't have anything relying on electricity.

I would suggest that if anyone is depending on a thermostat to turn on/off a fan based on a setting, that they also invest in a separate alarm system for overheat situations. Nobody wants to hear that you lost all your chickens because the fan failed to turn on and the birds got cooked in the coop. That would be too much heartbreak for me. But I always design my systems to have a backup in case of primary system failure. If the fan fails to cool down the coop and the alarm sounds, then I would be the person going out late at night to open up all the doors and windows trying to save the birds.

We had a tornado watch today and I was thinking about this. I was buying cutting more holes, hoping if the fan goes out, well manage!

 

[Ccort]

Is this safe? Having a window right by where they sleep, even if covered in hc? They seem SO exposed. When they stand, they're pretty darn close to the window and they will definitely grow enough to be looking out.

Is it normal in hotter temps for panting/open beaks? I know it's not great, but is it to be expected and not harmful? I'm so focused on this right now but seems no matter what I do they will be panting in the coop.

Also, side note...one chick has diarrhea. Do I wait for that to pass?

 

[Brooks_]

Is this safe? Having a window right by where they sleep, even if covered in hc? They seem SO exposed. When they stand, they're pretty darn close to the window and they will definitely grow enough to be looking out.

Is it normal in hotter temps for panting/open beaks? I know it's not great, but is it to be expected and not harmful? I'm so focused on this right now but seems no matter what I do they will be panting in the coop.

Yes, panting is "normal" in warm climates. Address a better air flow pattern and you'll see improvement, but it will still be there.

Also, side note...one chick has diarrhea. Do I wait for that to pass?

I would monitor. They are likely drinking more.

 

[Ccort]

Now you all have me terrified that the fan will cause a fire. :,(

I dont know what kind of exhaust fan it is because my husband bought it. He won't Check to see what it is for. (Barn use, etc.) Its hooked up to an outdoor switch, if that makes a difference but probably not.

 

[YellowRoseFarm]

Make sure any thermostat you get has an easy way to clean it out. I know my house thermostats can get clogged up with house dust and malfunction. All the more I would be concerned about using any thermostat with chicken dander in the air.



The older I get, the more I try to make things more simple. When I built my coop, I joined BYC forums and read, and read, and asked questions for almost a year before I built my coop. I learned a lot from the community and there is very little I would change in my build if I rebuilt it today. So that was a success, But I live in the great north where our temps get to -45F in mid-winter. My concerns were always on how cold the coop would get, never on how hot it might get like this thread's concern. Anyway, the only electrical use I need in my coop is the water heater to prevent the water from freezing in the winter. Other than that, I don't have anything relying on electricity.

I would suggest that if anyone is depending on a thermostat to turn on/off a fan based on a setting, that they also invest in a separate alarm system for overheat situations. Nobody wants to hear that you lost all your chickens because the fan failed to turn on and the birds got cooked in the coop. That would be too much heartbreak for me. But I always design my systems to have a backup in case of primary system failure. If the fan fails to cool down the coop and the alarm sounds, then I would be the person going out late at night to open up all the doors and windows trying to save the birds.

I couldn't agree more! This is why I also have a wireless outdoor thermostat that sends alerts to my phone when the temps and humidity get above my settings.

 

[springvalley123]

Is this safe? Having a window right by where they sleep, even if covered in hc? They seem SO exposed. When they stand, they're pretty darn close to the window and they will definitely grow enough to be looking out.

It's safe, but if they feel exposed roosting right next to the hardware cloth, you could possibly lower the roost. I understand you have very little breeze, so covering the window with shade cloth would probably not help, though at my place, it'd work to make the birds feel safe.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is this safe? Having a window right by where they sleep, even if covered in hc? They seem SO exposed. When they stand, they're pretty darn close to the window and they will definitely grow enough to be looking out.

Is it normal in hotter temps for panting/open beaks? I know it's not great, but is it to be expected and not harmful? I'm so focused on this right now but seems no matter what I do they will be panting in the coop.

Also, side note...one chick has diarrhea. Do I wait for that to pass?

I have open windows on both ends of my top roosts, so it's not really a detriment as far as being too exposed, as long as the opening is securely covered. No need to worry about drafts at the moment as that's not an issue in hot weather.

Yes panting is normal in high heat. It's an early sign of heat stress but not stress to the point of critical concern.

Diarrhea is likely due to increased water intake due to the heat.

 

[abenardini]

Now you all have me terrified that the fan will cause a fire. :,(

I dont know what kind of exhaust fan it is because my husband bought it. He won't Check to see what it is for. (Barn use, etc.) Its hooked up to an outdoor switch, if that makes a difference but probably not.

If it's a sealed motor, it's a lot safer. I've used sealed motor fans rated for out buildings for years and never had any issues.

 

[Ccort]

Ok, this is for the folks with fans...
This is what I have. The description says nothing about coops but says it can be used in barns and "farm buildings." So I assume that covers coops?