My 2 coops. Check them out tell me what you think and if you have ideas for me

[Vandersnoot]

I have 15 chickens 2 coops free-range all day just sleep in them. The first one has wheels so I can move it everyday so I don't need to clean it. Right now 10 hens sleep in it. The second one made with tin 2 stories and 5 chickens sleep in that one which i just built

 

[cavemanrich]

Nice coops, but I see limited ventilation, unless you keep some of the windows open, or are they screens.?
Do you encounter a possible ammonia odor inside? Are you in area that could be frostbite danger zone?? It would be good to include your general area in your profile. Much easier to offer advice when it is climate related. Good ventilation minimizes frostbite by removing moisture generated by chickens from breathing, and pooping.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and,

 

[Vandersnoot]

Nice coops, but I see limited ventilation, unless you keep some of the windows open, or are they screens.?
Do you encounter a possible ammonia odor inside? Are you in area that could be frostbite danger zone?? It would be good to include your general area in your profile. Much easier to offer advice when it is climate related. Good ventilation minimizes frostbite by removing moisture generated by chickens from breathing, and pooping.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and,

Hey cavemanrich! I live in windsor essex canada. snows sometimes and gets below freezing lots of wind where I'm at because of all the open fields around me. That is why I put up the plastic to keep the wind out. The coop on the ground might be a little too air tight then but the 2 story one has lots of ventilation which i was scared that the wind would blow in and freeze the chickens

 

[Vandersnoot]

The windows don't open

 

[Sally PB]

The coop on the ground might be a little too air tight

Can you make some openings in it? Ventilation is more important than temperature. Chickens can keep themselves warm in some pretty low temps. Dampness can cause a couple of big problems though: Frostbite and respiratory issues from the buildup of ammonia from their droppings. Make ventilation openings up high, above the chickens' head level. That way, dampness and ammonia are vented out.

Welcome, by the way! If you have questions, ask. That's why we're here.

 

[Vandersnoot]

Can you make some openings in it? Ventilation is more important than temperature. Chickens can keep themselves warm in some pretty low temps. Dampness can cause a couple of big problems though: Frostbite and respiratory issues from the buildup of ammonia from their droppings. Make ventilation openings up high, above the chickens' head level. That way, dampness and ammonia are vented out.

Welcome, by the way! If you have questions, ask. That's why we're here.

How big of openings would they need? The roof has bends in it and cracks. Would these gaps be enough?

 

[Vandersnoot]

Not cracks in the roof haha but cracks between doors and other places

 

[Sally PB]

Those aren't enough. You need 1 square foot of ventilation, per bird. So if you have 10 birds, 10 square feet, broken into whatever openings you can fit wherever. Higher up is better; then it's above their heads. The openings need to covered with hardware cloth, 1/2" or 1/4" mesh, so critters can't get in. Chicken wire is good for keeping chickens enclosed, but not for keeping critters out; raccoons can tear right through it.

 

[Vandersnoot]

Those aren't enough. You need 1 square foot of ventilation, per bird. So if you have 10 birds, 10 square feet, broken into whatever openings you can fit wherever. Higher up is better; then it's above their heads. The openings need to covered with hardware cloth, 1/2" or 1/4" mesh, so critters can't get in. Chicken wire is good for keeping chickens enclosed, but not for keeping critters out; raccoons can tear right through it.

Okay thank you for your help! I will work on ventilating

 

[Vandersnoot]

Back again! Haven't fixed the problem yet. Hard to buy stuff during covid. What type of mesh should I buy