*NEW COOP* ideas and recommendations

[KodaBlue]

Hiya guys,

So I'm going to be building a coop sometime here in late August. And was wondering how much ventilation would be acceptable for my chickens coop. It will be a 7'×8' and 6'tall. An old garden shed was built I'm tearing it down and building on the existing concrete slab. My concern is I live in North Dakota the capital to be exact (bismarck) the summers can be really hot and the winter down right cold and unforgiving. So I just want to make my coop as best as possible (ventilation wise) so any plans/blueprints/ ideas for what would suit me best would be very much appreciated!!! Or any pointers or tips that you think would make my coop fit my hens the best

Thanks,
Ryan.

 

[cavemanrich]

Rule of thumb on ventilation is about 1 square foot per chicken. You can get by with less if well placed. (I don't have quite that, and I'm still OK.)
Have your ventilation well above the chicken roost. You want moving air, but no direct drafts that would ruffle your chickens feathers. In HOT summer, the draft issue is less important. Good to have other openings so chickens can have a cooler coop.
Here are some of my thoughts.
Ventilation high, and a small take in vent at the bottom.
Make your roosts about 3 to 4 feet off the floor. Upper vents should be at least a foot above chickens heads. More is better. You can make your roosts adjustable so they can be lowered during winter to avoid drafts, should they occur. You also do not want a high drop for your chickens to have crash landings inside your coop.
Provide natural light to interior of coop with windows or screened openings.
Not sure what else to add here..... Ask anything specific, and I, as well as others will try best to answer .
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[KodaBlue]

Rule of thumb on ventilation is about 1 square foot per chicken. You can get by with less if well placed. (I don't have quite that, and I'm still OK.)
Have your ventilation well above the chicken roost. You want moving air, but no direct drafts that would ruffle your chickens feathers. In HOT summer, the draft issue is less important. Good to have other openings so chickens can have a cooler coop.
Here are some of my thoughts.
Ventilation high, and a small take in vent at the bottom.
Make your roosts about 3 to 4 feet off the floor. Upper vents should be at least a foot above chickens heads. More is better. You can make your roosts adjustable so they can be lowered during winter to avoid drafts, should they occur. You also do not want a high drop for your chickens to have crash landings inside your coop.
Provide natural light to interior of coop with windows or screened openings.
Not sure what else to add here..... Ask anything specific, and I, as well as others will try best to answer .
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thanks so much! That's good I formation to go by! I do plan on having a full sized door for myself to walk in and clean. Windows on the sides that I can open. And two or three windows in the roof as "skylights" but again thank you for this info. I'll surely use it when building my coop. When its said and done I'll be sure to post pictures to get a final inspection from professionals

 

[rosemarythyme]

1 sq ft per chicken and/or 10% of the floor space, whichever is greater... though as with most things chicken related, more is better, up to a point. I really like vents that can be built into the roof area such as ridge, soffit, under eave vents, as those can easily provide a lot of air flow without drafts, and are ideal for letting moisture out in winter. Windows do double duty to allow both light and air, especially in the summer, when you want to cool down the body of the coop.

 

[jmkrusch]

Hey ! I just posted what I built for my nesting boxes - we painted everything white too to help make the coop feel bright in the winter.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...g-boxes-with-dimensions-and-pictures.1264114/

 

[ChickenzRCul]

My coop is about the same size as yours, but mine is raised up. My coop has 6 chickens in it and there are two 6 inch x 12 inch windows on either end of the coop and they seem to do well while inside. The roof is made out of corrugated metal so its not completely sealed which give a little more ventilation (and opportunity for bugs and lizards to come in for the chickens to eat. Hope this helps.

 

[cholland]

Take a look at the Woods Poultry House. There are a couple of builds on here if you search the forum. Or search for the book "Modern Fresh Air Poultry House, by Prince T Woods".

The book has a lot of information on ventilation and examples of several designs.

I built an 8x12 version of his Poultry House design.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/8-x-12-woods-coop-design-plan.1221551/#post-19554098

 

[KodaBlue]

My coop is about the same size as yours, but mine is raised up. My coop has 6 chickens in it and there are two 6 inch x 12 inch windows on either end of the coop and they seem to do well while inside. The roof is made out of corrugated metal so its not completely sealed which give a little more ventilation (and opportunity for bugs and lizards to come in for the chickens to eat. Hope this helps.

It indeed does help! May I ask to see a picture or two of it?

 

[ChickenzRCul]

It indeed does help! May I ask to see a picture or two of it?

Absolutely, right now its dark here but ill make sure to get back on tomorrow and post a few on here. Its not the most fancy coop but i guess my chickens like it.

 

[KodaBlue]

Absolutely, right now its dark here but ill make sure to get back on tomorrow and post a few on here. Its not the most fancy coop but i guess my chickens like it.

Well certainly it does not need to be spectical, as long as the chickens are healthy, happy, and doing what they do best then the coop is perfect !! and I can't wait to see