Roof, ventilation, condensation, oh my!

[Calianna]

We’ll be building a coop to replace our pre-fab but I have a few questions/concerns (see pictures for my jibberish to make sense) I need help with!
First, for the roof it has 1x4’s horizontal sitting on top the plywood walls and trusses, and then we’re suppose to screw tin to the 1x4’s; which will leave a 1 inch gap on both ends (areas I circled in blue) is this enough ventilation or should we cut holes in the area I circled in red and install some kind of vent on both ends as well? I know ventilation is very important, but it also rains sideways here, so I need to find a balance of enough ventilation while also keeping water out of the coop during rain and snow.
Second, will having a tin roof cause condensation that will “rain” on the chickens or will proper ventilation prevent that? Is there a better option than tin for the roof? It seems like a tin roof would make it awful cold in the winter, but I know chickens are little furnaces so I may be worrying about nothing (it gets down to -18 Fahrenheit here)
Third, looking at the second picture, the wall opposite of the nest box will have the coop door and the wall opposite the clean out door is solid, should we install a window on the solid wall to let light inside the coop?
I’m sure I’ll have more questions but I’m currently cross eyed from looking at too many coop plans and my brain has turned to mush.
ETA, does anyone know of a more affordable alternative for the plywood walls?

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Where, in general, are you located? How many chickens do you plan to have?

Those drawings show no meaningful ventilation at all.

Each adult, standard sized hen needs at least 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation -- which is hard to achieve on a very small coop. You might consider changing to a Monitor Roof.

This article about my first coop includes photos showing how to frame a Monitor: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

As a general rule, generous roof overhangs are your best friend when it comes to ventilation. If you extend the roof in all directions you can put vents on the tops of the walls and in the gable peaks which will keep ammonia and moisture from building up.

Depending on your specific climate, you *may* need to insulate under the metal. Most people don't need it when they have good ventilation at roof level, but some weather conditions create more condensation than others.

 

[3KillerBs]

P.S. You mentioned sideways rain. My Little Monitor Coop withstood Hurricane Frances and came through bone dry inside.

 

[DobieLover]

First, for the roof it has 1x4’s horizontal sitting on top the plywood walls and trusses, and then we’re suppose to screw tin to the 1x4’s; which will leave a 1 inch gap on both ends (areas I circled in blue) is this enough ventilation or should we cut holes in the area I circled in red and install some kind of vent on both ends as well?

The gap would be 0.75". I would put 1/4" shim spacers on top of the end trusses between the 1x4 purlins to narrow the gap to 1/2" and leave it open.

Is there a better option than tin for the roof?

I used "smoke" polycarbonate. It lets in filtered light and doesn't conduct heat like tin does. I would still place the coop in shade if at all possible.

the wall opposite the clean out door is solid, should we install a window on the solid wall to let light inside the coop?

I would install a top hinged window (backed with 1/2" HC) on that wall so you can open it fully during warm weather. Above that, I would cut out the triangle and install a louvered vent cover on the outside, 1/2" HC on the inside for permanent ventilation (both ends).
If the plans call for a soffit board to be installed (the lighter colored board in the diagram), I would leave that off and staple 1/2" HC over the truss ends instead. Extend the roofing about 1-2" beyond the end of the truss to divert water a little further away.
Also leave about a 2" gap at the top of the roof when installing the roof panels and put a cap on it. Use ventilated closure strips to support the roofing at each purlin.

ETA, does anyone know of a more affordable alternative for the plywood walls?

Look on FB market place for people selling old crates.
I will be getting two "sheets" of plywood with three 2x6s attached to each sheet for $30 apiece to use for the roof framing of a shelter I will be building off the side of my shed to park my tractor under.

That coop will be good for no more than 4 hens. Are you planning to construct a run to go with it?

 

[Krugerrand]

ETA, does anyone know of a more affordable alternative for the plywood walls?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/LP-LP-Multi-Use-Panel-Application-As-4-ft-x-8-ft/1002550422

Our Lowes sells these for $26.98.

 

[Calianna]

We have 5 chickens, 3 sapphire gems and 2 silkies. The run is 10x10.
I’ll look more into building a monitor roof for better ventilation.
I’m just mad at myself for refusing to let my daughter get chickens until the price of lumber reached an all time high! It’s definitely limiting us.

 

[saysfaa]

does anyone know of a more affordable alternative for the plywood walls?

Rough-sawn green pine boards (board and battan).

Or pallets if you don't mind the extra time getting the nails/staples out.

 

[3KillerBs]

I’m just mad at myself for refusing to let my daughter get chickens until the price of lumber reached an all time high! It’s definitely limiting us.

Yes, that's hurting everyone.

Part of the delay on what my DH has dubbed The Chicken Palace has been the cost and availability of lumber when we were already partway through the build.

 

[aart]

First, for the roof it has 1x4’s horizontal sitting on top the plywood walls and trusses, and then we’re suppose to screw tin to the 1x4’s; which will leave a 1 inch gap on both ends (areas I circled in blue) is this enough ventilation or should we cut holes in the area I circled in red and install some kind of vent on both ends as well?

Put the rafters on top of the walls and extend them out farther(~12").
Cut rafter ends vertically and attach fascia, this will give more ventilation and fascia will protect against blowing rain/snow.
HC under the rafter ends for predator protection.
More pics here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

it gets down to -18 Fahrenheit here

Welcome to BYC! @Calianna
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