New Coop build ventilation advice please

[Jambo88]

After shelving the plastic barrel idea my new build is a pent roof 6 x 4 style coop (pics to follow soon)

I'm trying to work out what would be adequate size vents the total internal size is 96ft3 is there a rule if thumb to work to?

I'm thinking of putting 900mm x 150mm vents at the top on both the short side and a 1500mm x 150mm at the top of the long side would that be enough? Also what about natural light is that something to consider when building a coop?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Recommended minimum is 10% of floor space or 1 sq ft per chicken, whichever is greater. So based on floor space (6x4) that's 2.4 sq ft (0.222967 sq meters) but I'm betting the number should be higher based on number of chickens.

I'm a big fan of natural light in a coop, because it makes it easier for the chickens to navigate in there, and easier for you to see to navigate in there as well.

 

[Jambo88]

Thanks @rosemarythyme the planned vent sizes work out to be 5.5ft2 and the coop is for 5 chickens so hopefully that will be enough

 

[Jambo88]

I've decided to do 2 runs for them the main run is a triangle shape and works out to be approx 130ft2 and I'm going to utilise dead space under my kids trampoline which is approx 80ft2 which the hens can use but can be separated off to use as a brooding run if I manage to persuade the other half to let me get some hatching eggs

 

[aart]

pent roof

Had to look that one up.

I'm thinking of putting 900mm x 150mm vents at the top on both the short side and a 1500mm x 150mm at the top of the long side would that be enough?

Do you mean the high and low sides?
Having large roof overhangs will help protect your venting.
I strongly suggest sketching stuff out to scale on graph paper.

 

[Jambo88]

@aart here's the sketch of the coop it is to scale

The back is going to have the nesting box and the will open for cleaning

 

[aart]

I see what you're thinking, but have you thought about how to frame your roof?

Go with larger(30cm) roof overhangs.
Rafters on edge and on top of walls to create soffit venting.
More pics here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

 

[Jambo88]

This is the donor that going I'm going to convert into the coop it was a quick build for my mower and strimmer

It's going to be raised about 18" off the ground

So does soffit vents offer more effective ventilation than having them on a wall? that would be an easier option than cutting the sides out as I'm going to redo the roof anyway

 

[aart]

So does soffit vents offer more effective ventilation than having them on a wall? that would be an easier option than cutting the sides out as I'm going to redo the roof anyway

I think they are easier to keep rain out.
So are you going to build new for the coop or......where will your mower live?

 

[Jambo88]

I think they are easier to keep rain out.
So are you going to build new for the coop or......where will your mower live?

I'm going to convert it into the coop as being in lock down still and on furlough I can't really afford to make a brand new coop so it's a case of convert and make do at the mo........ The mower can just live under a tarp till I sort something out for it