Humidity Issues

[Kaydesfo]

There's already two holes for ventilation. Thanks though.

 

[JackE]

There's already two holes for ventilation. Thanks though.

Obviously not enough, or your humidity/moisture level would not be high.

 

[Fentress]

There's already two holes for ventilation. Thanks though.

You don't get it. Your coop is sufficiently deep that I would knock out your south facing wall or at least more than 50% of it. For reference please see Fresh Air Poultry Houses, written in the early 20th century. Also, you have too many birds per square foot for winter quarters. I also like to have a siginficant air cushion/spadce over their heads that helps to get the moisture away from them. YOu are doing several things wrong and that is why you have a problem. Cull some chickens and knock out the wall!

 

[Kaydesfo]

This isn't so much about not getting it as it is about working with what I have available. There's no way to perform massive work to this coop while it is so cold and I am seeking information on what I can do to force the air out of my coop. I asked for advice on exhaust fans because it is a realistic fix at this time. I did not expect these pushy responses about how I "don't get it." I'm already diligently cleaning the coop and providing fresh bedding, air flow...I'm doing the best I can. Thank you for the reference to the fresh air poultry houses.

 

[Fentress]

Good Luck,

The Peanut Gallery.

 

[JackE]

Good Luck,

The Peanut Gallery.

Yeah, "ThePeanutGallery"

X2

 

[Kaydesfo]

Listen, I apologize for the peanut gallery comment that was directed at the guy telling me to go out and saw a hole in my coop walls. It's an insulated building, not a stick shack. I came to this forum looking for helpful advice, I can saw all the holes I want and I don't need someone to tell me that. This has been a really disappointing experience.

 

[RonP]

As you know, you have too many birds confined to too little space.

You may never achieve the comfortable humidity levels you wish unless you change one of these variables.

Using an exhaust fan may help, but most coops are dusty environments, not the best for electric motors.

Should you choose to use one, I would blow fresh air in, as opposed to out, and be mindful of creating drafts on the birds.
The fresh air will not have the dust issues. You will need to defuse the incoming air, keeping the incoming and outgoing vent well above the highest roosting bar.

Difficult at best.

Sorry if this is not the advice you are looking for.

 

[Kaydesfo]

Thanks for this Ron.
I hate to squeaky-wheel here but in our area of northernmost BC, I've had two longtime chicken farmers quote far less square foot per bird. One has visited our coop and said the birds are not overcrowded. I think this is more what aart was saying with just the quicker necessity to clean. More poop per square foot.(Not trying to pick a fight here, just relaying my experience.) Recent humidity levels have been maintaining 80% the last few days here...it really seems to change with the weather. The low nineties were what I'd experienced at the worst of it, though I can't recall if that was when it was 35 below or not.
Anyways, thanks for that.

 

[aart]

Just skimmed back over this thread.......and unless I missed it, the ambient humidity outside the coop wasn't reported......

.......cause you can't make less humid inside than it is outside unless you've got a total HVAC system.