modding a dog house for ventilation - help?

[yakitori]

Here it is finished. It is a bit dark in the coop with the big overhang, so I have a light that shines in during the day.

That looks awesome! Are those 1x1 struts?

I think I just got an idea from your photo... I don’t know the technical terms, but I think I’ll remove the left and tight most roof panels and extend the top panels. Then I’ll put hardware cloth over where the removed panels were.

That’s what you mean right? @RobertaD1

I’ll draw up a plan in a sec.

I really need to start learning my building terms

 

[RobertaD1]

That looks awesome! Are those 1x1 struts?

I think I just got an idea from your photo... I don’t know the technical terms, but I think I’ll remove the left and tight most roof panels and extend the top panels. Then I’ll put hardware cloth over where the removed panels were.

That’s what you mean right? @RobertaD1

I’ll draw up a plan in a sec.

I really need to start learning my building terms

Yes, that's what I mean

 

[feliciadawn]

That looks awesome! Are those 1x1 struts?

I think the struts are 1x2. btw: even though I built another roost bar, the chickens roost on the struts, which are higher. I just let them do it..

I think I just got an idea from your photo... I don’t know the technical terms, but I think I’ll remove the left and tight most roof panels and extend the top panels. Then I’ll put hardware cloth over where the removed panels were.

I am not sure which part you are removing, but yeah -- the basic idea when going from dog house to chicken coop is to remove a great deal of that bulk and insulation, and make things as open and airy as possible. My one concern about the final coop was how dark it was inside, especially since my coop is deep shade. However, in the heat of summer that turned out to be a blessing. Furthermore, the chickens spend the days outside and are only in the coop at night or when laying. They seem happy enough with the coop now. Note that I did an add-on nest box, and built lots of doors for access.

 

[yakitori]

I was thinking of something like this. would this be too cold for winter? I think maybe another options could be to do a door with mostly hardware cloth....

 

[feliciadawn]

What part of NY are you in? I think that design might be rather cold unless you block off some of the air flow from wind in the winter. Perhaps just open one side? Also, make sure your overhang will keep the birds dry even with driving rain. In my design, the screened part is vertical (not slanted like yours), and the overhang goes out a full 18 inches or so. No rain gets in at all, even during a severe tropical storm.

 

[yakitori]

What part of NY are you in? I think that design might be rather cold unless you block off some of the air flow from wind in the winter. Perhaps just open one side? Also, make sure your overhang will keep the birds dry even with driving rain. In my design, the screened part is vertical (not slanted like yours), and the overhang goes out a full 18 inches or so. No rain gets in at all, even during a severe tropical storm.

One side only, that's a great idea! or maybe I can narrow it and do 3/4 wood 1/4 hardware cloth, or maybe even plexiglass so it gets some extra illumination.... I'm getting a lot of ideas!

I'm in the hudson valley. I'll be putting this in the run, where there's a tarp over the top. so only the back, which will be flush with one side of the run, will be exposed to the elements

Honestly, I'm still not really understanding ventilation, how much is adequate, and what is not a cross breeze etc. I have some question about my larger coop I'll need to ask later, because I want to seal up some open spots for winter, but I don't want to accidentally make it too sealed off.

 

[aart]

I was thinking of something like this. would this be too cold for winter? I think maybe another options could be to do a door with mostly hardware cloth....

That's a great sketch.....but might be too open for your climate and the tiny size of coop.

Might think about this:

 

[yakitori]

That's a great sketch.....but might be too open for your climate and the tiny size of coop.

Might think about this:
View attachment 2368946

Thanks! the gable vent might be a bit of a challenge for me to put in, would there be any other alternatives to that? I was thinking using hardware cloth for part of the door, would that work?

 

[kelzey]

so happy to have found this thread! i also have an old dog house that i was looking to convert into a small coop for a couple seramas or other really small breed that i’m interested in getting in the spring. definitely gonna follow along and see how it goes! might give me some ideas also

 

[yakitori]

so happy to have found this thread! i also have an old dog house that i was looking to convert into a small coop for a couple seramas or other really small breed that i’m interested in getting in the spring. definitely gonna follow along and see how it goes! might give me some ideas also

Maybe post a photo of your dog house here and we can get ideas together!