problems not the coop but the run

[lovinlife]

It sounds like your run doesn't get enough sunlight in the winter, which can only be fixed by exposing it to the southern winter sun. If your run is draining like you say and there's no standing water, adding sand won't make it drier. It just isn't getting heat from the sun so it feels more damp and cold.

Ventilation in the coop should allow air to circulate upward and out. You need openings at the top and bottom.

Good luck figuring out how to fix things.

 

[SparksNV]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone

. I'll get it figured out.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
Humidity ONLY runs that high when it is the midst of a heavy rain storm. Normal winter humidity is 25 - if we are lucky. Right now my house - 19 in front and 17 in back, we are at 33 degrees and snow is melting.


Temps here, at night, run from the teens to -19 depending upon your area. Yes, we have that much variation - we are high desert.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I understand. I was actually surprised it got to 50%.
Minus 19 is pretty cold. Only gets minus here a week a year - but always humid.
Quote:
Humidity ONLY runs that high when it is the midst of a heavy rain storm. Normal winter humidity is 25 - if we are lucky. Right now my house - 19 in front and 17 in back, we are at 33 degrees and snow is melting.

SPARKS it does look like you get venting at the ridge. This may sound crazy but my coop is off the ground like yours in case I needed to move it. What if you either rented a bobcat with forks for a half day or called a contractor with one and turned the coop around and moved it to the north side of the run then at least the sun would warm the coop and the sun may reach some of the ground. Maybe more than you want to spend but quick and easy. maybe $150.

 

[SparksNV]

yeah moving it would be nice but the feet are set in 18-20" into the ground with hard as concrete dirt around them.

HorsefeathersNV - I googled the average and mean humidity in December for Reno and I was surprised at what they had listed, too. I would think it would have been lower in the winter - not as much as the summer.

Please trust me that I have plenty of ventilation on the wall you cannot see - I just don't have a good picture of it uploaded here. I have not seen ANY condensation on the window in front (an indicator of humidity). Under the roof is also open with the peaks and valleys of the roof line. I have stood in my coop with the wind howling at 50 mph (yes, we get wind that strong) with no drafts. My coop does not smell of ammonia, the shavings are dry, no dampness or condensation on the window, walls, or ceiling - I scoop out poo every other day or every day. I know my coop.

Again, thanks for the suggestions...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I understand pics don't do it justice. Nice looking coop though. For moving - if it were me and I was committed to it. Just saw the legs off and put new legs in the new location.
Winter is always tough. While your conditions are not like mine they are quite variable like here and we have as low as -10 in winter and 110 in summer and almost never below 50% humidity and frequently above 90%
Best of luck.