How much ventilation do I need?

[ZaneyMama]

We are building an 8' x 8' coop with large windows (2' x 2') openings on the East and West sides about 3 feet up from the floor of the coop.

We are in Colorado at 5400 ft above sea level, so summers get hot and winters get very cold especially at night.

What other types of ventilation should I have? If I put a fan in the coop, how will I plug it in?

Thanks,
Sarah

 

[chuckzoo]

There is a very good ventilation page on this site by Patandchickens.

Put ventilation into the search and I am sure you will be able to find it.

 

[Baymen Moe]

Really no need for a fan if you ventilate properly. You probably want some sort of ventilation higher than your 2x2 windows, especially during periods of harsh winter conditions when you would want to close them but still have venting up high. During the warmer season you can use your windows just fine but still need to vent that heat up high and out of the coop.

Here's Pats' page on ventilation

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

 

[patandchickens]

Rather than a fan, which has many drawbacks and is unnecessary in a properly designed coop, I would suggest making a larger area of wall that opens up for summertime. (Opens up to hardwarecloth, that is). For wintertime, as Bayman Moe says you really want vents at the TOP of your wall(s), not the windows -- I would suggest and opening 6-12" high and the full length of at least your downwind wall, ideally atop several walls so you have options under different weather conditions.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat