Okay before I start building my new coop(12x12) I want to make sure I have everything in place. Im going by the old saying 'measure twice, cut once' phrase. Trying to 'get all my ducks in a row' sorta speaking. Okay okay..enough of that. Lol. With my old coop I have a huge problem with the inside getting wet when it rains. Its a 4x8 coop with vents along the top part on the 4' sides. See picture below..its the top part of the coop with wire covering it. It seems to be enough air circulation in there, but when it rains the nests boxes get wet and so does half of the coop. The two vents are facing North and South, are these in the wrong location? Do they need to be East and West? I live in Central Tx, so it gets hot here! I need some ideas PLEASE! Remember.. I live in Central Texas- hot hot summers! I need to have plently of air circulation(see above reason), but not drafty The vents need to be in a place where rain cannot get inside or at least an idea of how to prevent rain from getting in Okay dont laugh, its ugly as sin, but its what was left here by the previous owners and the chickens dont seem to mind it too much..
I think your problem is chiefly that you have next to no roof overhang. I would suggest building AT LEAST a foot overhang on all sides, and tuck the vents up high on the wall where they will be protected by that overhang (rain seldom blows truly sideways, usually it slants down at some angle even if it is REALLY windy). Roof overhangs will also help a little bit towards keeping the coop cooler -- they put more of the wall in shade. On the old coop (if you are keeping it), you could actually build a little extra overhang to protect the vents; you'd want it strongly attached so it doesn't blow off in a thunderstorm but it looks very doable. Another option to consider is, if some of your vents are low enough that the roof overhang doesn't always protect them, have panels that can close over them when you know a strong storm is likely to be coming from that direction. The panel could be left chocked partway open, even, if you want a compromise between air coming in and rain not so much coming in. Generous roof overhangs are really your best bet though. Good luck, have fun, Pat
