Moving to the coop

[AngeliqueR]

I agree the green is going to amplify the heat. You can use plywood as insulation beneath it and perhaps consider replacing it with white translucent. It won't change your dark and cozy nesting box set up. You might also consider lifting the roof a few inches to make vent space that goes all the way around (secured with hardware cloth of course).

Do they have access to that shady spot underneath during the day? I don't see a ramp or ladder but it looks like that's the intent. I would try to get them down there. My chicks have their original cardboard brooder box hanging out in the run area of their coop; they're not really big enough to figure out the ladder into the coop but they're not going to roost or nest at this age either so I figure it doesn't matter, they happily sleep in their brooder and roam the grass all day.

 

[chixcoop]

You could try to make a whole side of the coop, or wall chicken of wire which hinges or latches on to the side of the coop. This could provide a vent. How cold does it get in the winter?

 

[azjustin]

Temps are 90's day and 70's night.

This is much like our climate, we just cool off more at night.

You have to keep the air moving! It doesn't matter what the temp is, if there is no air moving, the birds can't cool down.

I suggest this now because you're going to have to do it during the summer anyways: go to Walmart and buy a $15 box fan and put it in the best area of the run/coop for maximum air flow. Get it going ASAP while you modify your coop and don't worry about turning it off until the fall. In fact, if you turn it on and off, it probably will die before the season is over. Ours last about 2-3 years before the bearings crap out.

As for your coop:
- Provide hard shade whenever possible and every area needs to be able to vent naturally at all locations
- Shade cloth on the runs helps immensely and will keep the chickens out and active when it's hot
- Any portion that is south facing should have something to block the sun, wrap it around the east and west sides if you can. i.e.: Looking at your coop, I would wrap the the bottom portion that faces south with more OSB/plywood and shade cloth the east and west sides. This is a moot point if the block wall behind it blocks the sun anyways.

Some people put frozen water bottles and such in the water to cool it down, this will probably help also.

Your coop looks good!

 

[Jens Hen House]

I agree the green is going to amplify the heat. You can use plywood as insulation beneath it and perhaps consider replacing it with white translucent. It won't change your dark and cozy nesting box set up. You might also consider lifting the roof a few inches to make vent space that goes all the way around (secured with hardware cloth of course).

Do they have access to that shady spot underneath during the day? I don't see a ramp or ladder but it looks like that's the intent. I would try to get them down there. My chicks have their original cardboard brooder box hanging out in the run area of their coop; they're not really big enough to figure out the ladder into the coop but they're not going to roost or nest at this age either so I figure it doesn't matter, they happily sleep in their brooder and roam the grass all day.

Do you think if I painted the roof white it would help keep it cooler??? The intent of the roof was to give them some light during the morning before we are up. Still new to all this and learning along the way. We haven't been keeping them in the coop during the day while we are home. They get to roam the yard till the run is finished then they will be able to go in and out as they want, except at night when they are locked in.

 

[Jens Hen House]

We live in Texas our weather changes it's mind daily. We can go from sunny and 90 one day to cold cloudy 60 the next. We really only have two seasons. Our winter can vary from staying like fall or we could actually have two weeks of hard winter. So planning for different seasons is hard.

 

[junebuggena]

A more open-air type coop might be something to consider, than. Cut down the siding a few inches, all the way around and replacing it with hardware cloth will really help the coop 'breathe' better. And remove the siding on the 'tall' wall and replace it with hardware cloth. You've got enough roof overhang, that you won't need to worry about rain blowing in. One of the biggest mistake new flock owners make is seriously underestimating the amount of ventilation a coop needs.