Need Ventilation Help...

[rosemarythyme]

The coops Can also be open during the day to ventilate, while they are in the run. They girls will only be closed in at night.

Opening doors during the day does NOT add to the ventilation at night. As the chickens are inside the coop all night, it's even more important to have enough ventilation at night, when they're on the roost and exhaling moisture into the coop.

Recommended minimum is 1 sq ft per bird or 10% of floor space, whichever is greater. Some 1/8" slits aren't going to cut it, you need proper openings to allow for cross air flow.

 

[PolloGal]

Thank you...some great ideas to improve the coops for my girls. And, yes Rosemarythyme... I realize opening the coop up during the day does not add to the ventilation when it is closed up at night. I was mentioning opening the coop up during the day in response to a concern about how hot the coop would get in the sun. And definitely going to add to the 1/8th” slits in the little coop, as well as something larger in the big one. Thanks again everyone! Really appreciate the help!

 

[3KillerBs]

I was mentioning opening the coop up during the day in response to a concern about how hot the coop would get in the sun.

If the coop is hotter inside than out then you need to continue to add more *permanent* ventilation.

Also, shade. I have an 8'x8' picnic fly over my small coop.

 

[PolloGal]

Yes...I will have a permanent roof over 3/4 of the entire run. The other 1/4 will have 1/4” hardware cloth and a tarp that can be removed for sun.