PVC Gable Vent Problems?

[LSparks]

Hello there!

Planning my first coop and I have a materials question .

I'm planning the ventilation system, but most of what I see for exposed vents that are readily available at big box stores/hardware stores are made with PVC. While these look nice on the exterior I'm questioning the durability. I would plan on using these up on the gables, but I would also like to include a few vents at lower points of the coop and these may be exposed to areas where predators may be trying to find a way in. I plan on using hardware cloth to prevent the actual entry into the coop, but I'd like to avoid having to replace the vent if a predator was able to damage it. Will these commercially available PVC vents hold up to predators poking and prodding at them?

My other thought would be just attaching a lip on the sides of the coop made from 2x with the inside and outside protected with hardware cloth. I would make the lip large enough for ventilation, but long enough to prevent drafts in the coop. I know the description is not the best, but has anybody done anything like this?

I'm open to other ideas as this is all new to me!

Predators that I'd be likely trying to defend the coop against would be raccoons, possums, fisher cats, and potentially coyotes.

 

[mowin]

HC would be your best option. How about a pic of the area your talking about

 

[LSparks]

HC would be your best option. How about a pic of the area your talking about

So far I am just in the planning stages. The only pic I could post would be my chicken scratch that I call plans haha. I will try to draw up something a bit neater later on today and post it to give you guys a better idea.

 

[adirondak5]

I had the same thoughts as you regarding PVC vents , I used this on my coop got it from Lowes , had to order it online shipped to me , took 3 days to get it . Made from sheet steel , I was happy with the quality . Here's the link , its 12" x 12"

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CMI-12-in-x-12-in-White-Rectangle-Steel-Gable-Vent/3284752

Here's a picture of it installed .

 

[mowin]

So far I am just in the planning stages. The only pic I could post would be my chicken scratch that I call plans haha. I will try to draw up something a bit neater later on today and post it to give you guys a better idea.

Lol. Ya, I can't draw either.

Whatever style roof, peaked or slant, leave the eves open and cover what HC. Should give you plenty of ventilation

 

[LSparks]

Lol. Ya, I can't draw either.

Whatever style roof, peaked or slant, leave the eves open and cover what HC. Should give you plenty of ventilation

I had that intent too. I am planning on a gable roof, planned on leaving the eves open, but I figured that it would be a good idea to put ventilation high up at the peak with a gable vent, or I could get fancy with a ridge vent, but I'd have concerns about relying on that with the snow during the winter. A few low vents would likely be the last of them. I am also using some of the design that Carolina Coops uses for their french doors. Try to cool off the coop in the heat of the summer as well as trying to prevent the area from getting too smelly.

 

[mowin]

I had that intent too. I am planning on a gable roof, planned on leaving the eves open, but I figured that it would be a good idea to put ventilation high up at the peak with a gable vent, or I could get fancy with a ridge vent, but I'd have concerns about relying on that with the snow during the winter. A few low vents would likely be the last of them. I am also using some of the design that Carolina Coops uses for their french doors. Try to cool off the coop in the heat of the summer as well as trying to prevent the area from getting too smelly.

Yep, that's the issues with ridge vents and snow.