Old cedar fence picket coop just finished

[KTsHens]

My husband just finished our coop. We found some old cedar fence panels and took them apart to use for the sides of the coop. Our hens were checking it out as we were assembling it.

 

[DobieLover]

Where is the ventilation? I don't see any at all.

 

[KTsHens]

There are spaces between the cedar pickets all around , we plan on insulating the walls with straw in the winter time.

 

[DobieLover]

There are spaces between the cedar pickets all around , we plan on insulating the walls with straw in the winter time.

That isn't enough ventilation for the summer and if you block it with straw, they will have no ventilation for winter.
As long as the birds have draft free roosting and lots of ventilation to remove the stale, moisture laden air with a lower opening for fresh air intake, they do far better in the winter.

 

[KTsHens]

Ok, thanks, we’ll add some more ventilation at the top. We had modeled it after our coop at our old house that we had for 5 years. It was a converted kids playset and did have one inch gaps between all the boards at the roof though.

 

[Yakisugi Coop]

Definitely need more ventilation.

 

[nuthatched]

X3 Ventilation and light. You need atleast one sq foot of permanent ventilation per bird
Don't insulate it, rodents will love those spaces.

 

[SourRoses]

The cedar looks really nice! Aged cedar is perfect as the oils won't bother the birds but it should have enough left to stand up to the elements.
Though I've gotta be #100 to say a lot of ventilation is needed up under the roof. Placing it up high allows for a chimney effect with hot, moist air moving out.
In winter the humidity can cause frostbite, so ventilation can protect them even if it lowers the temperature. Some of the stinkier gases also rise up. Make sure you use hardware cloth on the ventilation openings

The straw would just encourage rodents and be a mess to clean old, moldy straw out. It can even spontaneously combust if the mold works up enough heat!

P.S. That hen with blue ears is super cute! What breed is she?

 

[KTsHens]

Ok thanks, I think we’re in the process of adding a solar fan and some vents. The hen with the blue ears is a golden appenzeller Spitzhauben, we got her from cackle hatchery in a rare breed mix we ordered.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Love it! I love coops like this with good materials. Finishing touches will make it perfect (ventilation.) I'm very unpopular because my coop is indeed insulated. But I do not have rats. I does seem like they might want to live inside walls if the material was straw (I use foam core.)