Question about my Ventilation

[aim0474]

I am going to post this photo from my phone and then go to my tablet to ask my question. Bear with me a minute.

 

[aim0474]

In Colorado. Do i need to make covers for these vents? I have read both that you should leave them open and cover them when cold.

Stats are: 6 hens
Coop is 8ft x 3 ft
7 foot of roost space
2 nest boxes
30 sq ft of covered run most of which runs between the fence and the greenhouse.

I designed the roost so the chickens are about 15 inches under the vents. The coop itself is pretty draft free but the doors do let air in.

The coop will sit along a fence under evergreen trees and next to the greenhouse. Therr isnt a lot of sun there in the winter but it is protected from wind.

Thanks!

 

[junebuggena]

You won't need to cover those vents as long as there is enough overhang from the roof to shield them from rain.

 

[junebuggena]

The run is going to be too small for 6 adult, large breed hens though. You should have a minimum of 10 sq feet of run per bird, more depending on the breed or even individual.

 

[aim0474]

I did the math wrong. There is 45 sq ft in the actual run amd an additional 20 under the coop itself. In the next few months they will be getting about 100 more sq ft of run as I build my raised beds. They will get to play underneath them.

 

[aim0474]

I havent built the roof yet sonit can be whatever size I want it to be. I will put in as much overhang as I can on it without blocking the greenhouse door.

 

[junebuggena]

Unless those raised beds are 10 feet tall, you're going to need to figure out a way to keep them out.

 

[ECBW]

The stats look fine on the coop.

For the "gable" vents, I would suggest that hinged shutters , so you can control it. Temperature, wind speed and direction change constantly, so your setup should be flexible too.