My New Coop

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
I appreciate you pointing things out! That's why I posted

We close the vent doors when it rains. We generally get high winds when it rains here. So even with a good angle on the vent doors I'm afraid too much water would get in. So we just shut them when we know it's going to rain.

And with the low density (I'm running 16 sq ft in the coop for now) having the vent doors closed for a while has caused no problems. Though for the side doors we haven't decided how to keep them open. So I'll keep in mind that it would be nice to have the vent doors stop the rain from going in while open. I really like that idea. Maybe I could put them on pulleys so I could adjust them easily.

But if you put them on pulleys the wind that you speak of could make them flap up and down towards at least one direction. Seems they would need a rigid type of positioning.

Ed

 

[Airilith]

Quote:
True. I'm using metal hooks on the front door now. Very strong hold. But we don't have that overhang on the sides to have the same setup. Weighted pulleys? Hmmm I'll have to put some more thought into that.

 

[Airilith]

Oh and since it didn't get answered earlier, is the 4 foot roost too high?

Thanks guys!

 

[Airilith]

Quote:
I hate to 'bump' my post, but I really want to know if I need to lower my roost. Thanks!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I think the concern with the height of the roosts is about drafts. If your roost was a little lower, it would keep them out of the path of drafts from the vents. You're doing a lot of management of your vents in bad weather and covering the side vents in cold weather, so that is controlling a lot of the draft issue for you.

 

[Intheswamp]

This is my opinion so take it for what it's worth...

The roosts are right at windowsill level, meaning the chickens entire body will be exposed to the full facing of the windows. This will work quiet well in the heat of the summer so that cooling breezes can move the air around them and move moisture away. In the wintertime the covers for the windows will probably be desired to stop the drafts but yet you'll still need ventilation to remove moisture.

What might work is to arrange for a bi-level roost. Have the roost pole up high (where it's at) for the hot summer and have another lower location for the pole to rest on for colder winter use. Dropping the roost pole below those windows will help much in getting the chickens out of the drafts but yet allow you to leave the window covers open a bit for moisture removal reasons.

Just a thought

Ed