Just finished chicken coop!

[Alex S]

Hello all!

I just finished my chicken coop! It was very cheap because we got one of craigslist and repaired it. It has space for 5-6 chickens so theres room for more hens!
Part of the run is underneath, and the other part of the run is still being built. My ladies (Well I hope there ladies!) are moving into the coop next week when it warms up! I'm so excited!

-Alex

 

[chickentrains]

looks great!

 

[3KillerBs]

It's great to find something you can remodel, especially with lumber prices the way they are.

What are the dimensions?

I'm concerned that there seems to be very little ventilation since 6 chickens would need 6 square feet of ventilation. Were you planing to open up the area where that little louver vent it?

 

[Alex S]

It's great to find something you can remodel, especially with lumber prices the way they are.

What are the dimensions?

I'm concerned that there seems to be very little ventilation since 6 chickens would need 6 square feet of ventilation. Were you planing to open up the area where that little louver vent it?

I also know there is very little ventilation. The coop is 4×6. I will send pictures so you might be able to tell me where to put more ventilation

 

[Alex S]

@3KillerBs
@aart
(Sorry for the ping)
Here are some general photos of the coop, where can I put more ventilation? (There's about 2sqft so far)

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I would add a strip (maybe 4” wide?) on two sides. Right at the top, then cover with hardware cloth. That’s just my opinion, and what I think would be fairly simple. I also drilled a ton of half inch holes near the top of my coop, but it already had 6-8’ of ventilation so it didn’t need much more. (You can kind of see it above the signs.

 

[3KillerBs]

@3KillerBs
@aart
(Sorry for the ping)
Here are some general photos of the coop, where can I put more ventilation? (There's about 2sqft so far)View attachment 2685362View attachment 2685356View attachment 2685359View attachment 2685363View attachment 2685358

If you can extend the roof you can add a wider vent where the little set of louvers is and a matching vent at the low side of the roof.

You could also take out the top of the gable triangles, again under a roof extension.

If you can't extend the roof you could make top-hinged windows or add awnings like the ones on my brooder (which are made from scraps of metal siding):

 

[Alex S]

If you can extend the roof you can add a wider vent where the little set of louvers is and a matching vent at the low side of the roof.

You could also take out the top of the gable triangles, again under a roof extension.

If you can't extend the roof you could make top-hinged windows or add awnings like the ones on my brooder (which are made from scraps of metal siding):

View attachment 2685386

I'm planning on making the windows openable, but do fans or exhaust fans count as any ventilation? Also, I'm planning to put a metal flashing/drip edge on the roof to protect the front from water. Also, the walls have layers: OSB board, then some wooden siding, just an extra piece of info if that changes anything. Also roof cannot be extended.

 

[aart]

Extend the roof, all the way around, so you'll have soffit vents and protect the windows.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm planning on making the windows openable, but do fans or exhaust fans count as any ventilation? Also, I'm planning to put a metal flashing/drip edge on the roof to protect the front from water. Also, the walls have layers: OSB board, then some wooden siding, just an extra piece of info if that changes anything. Also roof cannot be extended.

Some people use fans.

IMO, they should be considered only supplemental. If you do use them be sure to get ones that are rated for outdoor and barn use. Chickens and their bedding produce incredible amount of dust which will, at best, ruin an ordinary fan and, at worst, cause a fire.

Passive ventilation driven by natural circulation is best. It can't fail due to a power outage.

If you absolutely can't extend the roof then awnings will be your best option.