Overhead coop fan running at night

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Would help to see this and the rest of the coop, inside and out.


Yah, think it through first then cut with the right tools(not

Would help to see this and the rest of the coop, inside and out.


Yah, think it through first then cut with the right tools(not a chainsaw ).

Definitely will think it through before major changes. And not going to use his chainsaw (for my safety as well as flocks!) I'll post more pics as soon as I can. Especially of ceiling where there is ventilation, albeit not a lot. My original idea was to have a smaller flock, and I had heard that its common to lose some in first year. We have a ferocious rooster that is constantly on guard, so i think that helps.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Your main ventilation needs to be open 24/7/365. Anything you only open sometimes is supplemental ventilation that doesn't count in the calculations.



Very good point.

Both very cold climates and very warm climates need special considerations.

I don't have the link handy, but I do remember that there is a person here -- possibly no longer active -- who built the coop with removable wall panels over wire because it was for an area with very hot summers and very cold winters.

I can easily google search removable wall panels, no need for link Good to know ventilation needs to be 24/7. I make sure its all open during day, but since there's just regular screen on windows, had been closing them at night, thinking nights should be ok since its cooler. However, lots of chickens in there now since flock numbers increased. If my husband balks at removable wall panels, i could enlarge windows, and add in more windows at various places. I would think higher up better for ventilation..or maybe higher and lower on walls.

 

[3KillerBs]

I forget it I linked this for you yet. (I'm at work and running in circles): Repecka Illustrates Coop Ventilation

but since there's just regular screen on windows, had been closing them at night, thinking nights should be ok since its cooler.

A window in a chicken coop doesn't need glass, just hardware cloth over the opening and some kind of awning to keep the rain out. Or a top-hinged cover that you can adjust.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

I forget it I linked this for you yet. (I'm at work and running in circles): Repecka Illustrates Coop Ventilation



A window in a chicken coop doesn't need glass, just hardware cloth over the opening and some kind of awning to keep the rain out. Or a top-hinged cover that you can adjust.

Thank you! I watched it...good info! Going to get hardware cloth for windows!

 

[jBabychickn]

Is it ok to leave an overhead fan running at night in the coop? It was around 94 degrees today, but cooler at dusk. However, when the flock went to roost, several had wings spread out and panting. I didnt think it was that hot, but decided to leave the fan on. There is a lot of pecking and squawking that goes on with my flock before they settle down, so maybe the hens were upset and hence the panting? I've heard drafts should be avoided, so wondering if fan vlowing on them all night is a bad idea. I might go back down and turn it off.

I love my Coop fan!
And, my birds sure do too!
I’ve spoiled them with it; I suppose. If someone happens to forget to turn it on…Omigosh — Those ladies will squawk until they get their air flow and we have plenty of ventilation, it’s purely creature comfort for them that I’ve only easily feed into… LOL! I don’t mind at all, BTW!

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

I love my Coop fan!
And, my birds sure do too!
I’ve spoiled them with it; I suppose. If someone happens to forget to turn it on…Omigosh — Those ladies will squawk until they get their air flow and we have plenty of ventilation, it’s purely creature comfort for them that I’ve only easily feed into… LOL! I don’t mind at all, BTW!

I love my fan too! I'm actually sitting on a chair directly under it now...supposed to be down here cleaning Funny how the hens squawk when they want something. I probably give mine too many treats....they are marching around me now fussing loudly for more mealworms. They can be kind of drama queens at times. I dont mind either, though!

 

[jBabychickn]

I love my fan too! I'm actually sitting on a chair directly under it now...supposed to be down here cleaning Funny how the hens squawk when they want something. I probably give mine too many treats....they are marching around me now fussing loudly for more mealworms. They can be kind of drama queens at times. I dont mind either, though!

Completely understand everything you’ve just said!

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Would help to see this and the rest of the coop, inside and out.


Yah, think it through first then cut with the right tools(not a chainsaw ).

I found some pics, not great ones.

But I think you can get a sense of the coop and surrounding area and how shaded it is. I'm in the coop now (@9pm) and its pretty cool. I brought in another smaller fan, and air circulating a lot. Once I put hardware on the windows, i'll feel better leaving those open at night. And im not sure a raccoon or other predator could reach them, but rather be safe. Think once I cut more panels out, and maybe add windows, ventilation will be good.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Sawz-all or jigsaw would give a better cut. Better still, demount it if possible (unscrew screws, pull out or cut nails, etc.) at the joint, so you can re-fit it together. Cover any openings with 1/2" 19 gage hardware cloth. You can use fender washers and screws or make a picture frame out of wood and secure it to the structure.

That really is a gorgeous coop, and in the few weeks to a month or so of "winter" we have, you will probably be happy to be able to remount the side on the coop to cut down on wind.

Thank you! I'm trying to make it into a place where we enjoy hanging out and spending time with the flock. I keep trying to add landscaping and seating, and discovered chickens will eat everything you plant and poop on everything else. Thank you for the tips about what to cut with as well. I've had my chickens just over a year, and the learning curve is steep.

 

[texsuze]

Good that you have a naturally shaded area, including their run. Any "extra sunny" areas can easily be shaded with some shadecloth (Lowes, HD). I use it everywhere; makes a huge difference.

One thing I notice: you have a metal roof on the coop with no insulation on the interior side. I have a big metal stick-frame barn and had insulation installed underneath the roof when built. You can see it if you look up. Came in a large roll, 4' wide, very thin, easy to install. Came with a roll of wide white adhesive tape to cover the seams. The rolls are wafer-thin fiberglass (?) insulation sandwiched between a sheet of waterproof film (white side faces the interior) and a shiny reflective side (in contact with the metal roof). Super thin, cuts with scissors, easy to put up and (a) definitely keeps barn a bit cooler (b) prevents condensation from dripping.

I used this leftover insulation and some leftover roofing metal when we expanded a covered run space last summer. Really mitigates the heat. Should not be a problem for you to retrofit some appropriate insulation onto the ceiling of your coop. Even in shade, the air temp still affects the heat absorbed/radiated by all outdoor structures. Just a suggestion!