In need of suggestions....

[ChellesChickens]

Hi all I'm a newbie here and we just got chicks about 2 and a half weeks ago.... so we built the coop (my sweet hubby labored, stressed, & exceeded my plans).... however I made one giant screw up I think..... we put tinted corrugated plastic for the roof (yup we are skeptical about it holding up, but with a 10 year hail warranty why not try).... it's like a hot box now.... yesterday it was 101 inside the coop.... I know my babies have a bit before they can go out there full time, but I wanted them to be able to at least go hang out in there during the day when it's warm enough.... I'm stressing.... so any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated..... it's really well ventilated with 3 top ventilation areas.... so hubby thinks if a painted them, maybe it would help??? But then what color.... ugh this chick momma is stressed... lol thank you so much for any help! Also I'm located in center so Oklahoma if that helps. I did post this in the Oklahoma thread also, but wanted as many suggestions as possible. Thank you again!

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you paint it, use white. You want a color that reflects heat. Dark colors absorb heat. Yes painting it will probably help. Now you have the greenhouse effect with that translucent top.

Could you show photos of your ventilation, it sure sounds like you need a lot more? You said it was at the top, which is good because hot air rises. But it helps to have cooler air coming in to push the hot air up. The best place for that is the north side since that will be your shady side and the air should be cooler in the shade.

If you put your window on the south or west side you might want to hang some kind of curtain over that to help reduce the direct sunlight going in. You still want light to go in but a thin curtain can help keep the associated heat out.

 

[ChellesChickens]

I am trying to uploadd pics right now, but it is having a hard time. The hubs had an idea to screw painted plywood up on the underside of it painted white that away in the winter we can unscrew it and let the sun in..... okay I am going to keep attempting to upload the pics....

 

[ChellesChickens]

 

[ChellesChickens]

I don't know if you can tell, but there is vents on the front, and back side, as well as the north side. We are going to open up the coop door and acutally put hardwire cloth in front of it until they are to the point where they can go out into the run. That will help also with the airflow I believe! Do you think the painted plywood screwed up under the panels will work? Or should we just paint the panels white and leave a little square for a "sunlight"? I think I am overthinking it......

 

[~KH~]

I personally think adding plywood would be easier than painting the corrugated roofing. I'm not sure how well paint would stick to the plastic and it's a lot of work to paint it and then have it flaking off. The plywood seems like a better option.

 

[ChellesChickens]

Thank you KH, I think that is what we are leaning more towards and then we will have the option to take them down in winter and have the warm sun....

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I personally think adding plywood would be easier than painting the corrugated roofing. I'm not sure how well paint would stick to the plastic and it's a lot of work to paint it and then have it flaking off. The plywood seems like a better option.

In my poor estimation, if you cover the coop with plywood, you will have to paint the plywood.

 

[Little Fuzzy]

I don't know if you can tell, but there is vents on the front, and back side, as well as the north side. We are going to open up the coop door and acutally put hardwire cloth in front of it until they are to the point where they can go out into the run. That will help also with the airflow I believe! Do you think the painted plywood screwed up under the panels will work? Or should we just paint the panels white and leave a little square for a "sunlight"? I think I am overthinking it......

I would differently get some plywood up there to get away from the Green house effect. It's too hot for chicks or you. Is that plastic on the side also bye the little door. I would use hardware cloth also.

 

[ChellesChickens]

I would differently get some plywood up there to get away from the Green house effect. It's too hot for chicks or you. Is that plastic on the side also bye the little door. I would use hardware cloth also. 

Thank you, we are in the process of putting plywood up now.... nope no plastic, just hardwire cloth