How much ventilation?

[Veacane]

Hi I just recently joined and have some questions.


I'm planning on buliding a coop with a footprint of 4 1/2' by 5' with a sloping roof starting at 6 1/2' in the front by the door and lowering to 5' in the back above the nesting boxes. I live in northeast PA so we average about 85 degrees in the summer and 40 degrees in the winter. I'm looking to house 2-3 hens inside with a tilled dirt floor. I plan on including a heat lamp in my coop, but my biggest concern is ventilation, any tips?

Thanks in advance, Zach

 

[La Mike]

I would leave the slant line open fro the 0 point to the 6 1/2' point. Close that with hardware cloth and mak you a flap door to close it some in the winter if needed. That would give plenty of heat release for your coop.

 

[Veacane]

thanks man

 

[dsfrango]

I agree with La MIke, slanted roof with vents between where the roof connects with the walls in the front and back. Try to keep roosts at least a foot away to prevent drafts from hitting ur sleeping chickens. And u don't absolutely need the heat unless you want it, the only thing it can hurt is ur electric bill haha. My chickens are doing just great here in ct where I'm sure it's colder than ur climate