Tiana Rose
In the Brooder
So I am building a chicken coop. I am using the palace chicken coop design such as the one below (plans and pictures come from http://steamykitchen.com/20640-the-palace-chicken-coop.html). However, I have some questions about the ventilation. It never shows where the roost in this coop would be but I would assume it would be at the high point (the coop is 7 feet on the one side and 6 feet on the back). However, if I was to do that they would have a window right in front of their roost. They would probably enjoy that in the summer, but I am a little worried about how tight the window closes and it letting drafts in in the winter. It has the small holes on the very top that would always be open. Just want to make sure that would be fine in the winter as, once again, it would be right above the roost. It has matching vents on the other side and if the wind blows from that direction won't it blow right on the chickens? In the winter the windows on the three sides would be closed. Would the small vents at the top be enough? And would't it be awfully dark? I live in eastern Washington if that helps. I thought about a real window but the problem with that is half of it is taken up by the glass and gives no ventilation. Seems a little counter productive but at least it would let light in. Any thoughts, ideas, pictures of what worked for you? The coop is 4x6 so it looks like the windows are around 1.5 x 3, or around there. Just want to make sure the ventilation is right before I start cutting the walls.
Also I was am not sure about having the door on that side. In the winter when I opened it to clean it then the roost would be right there. Seems like it might be better on the end, or maybe a door in the side that leads to the run? Or a door on both, where the roost is (like in the picture) and into the run? Also I was thinking of putting the nesting box on the opposite side from the coop, not on the end. Opinions on this? I really would like some impute from those of you who have had chickens a while and know what works. Better to build it right the first time than have to re-do it later.
Also I was am not sure about having the door on that side. In the winter when I opened it to clean it then the roost would be right there. Seems like it might be better on the end, or maybe a door in the side that leads to the run? Or a door on both, where the roost is (like in the picture) and into the run? Also I was thinking of putting the nesting box on the opposite side from the coop, not on the end. Opinions on this? I really would like some impute from those of you who have had chickens a while and know what works. Better to build it right the first time than have to re-do it later.