Roof ventilation

[vasher]

We're framing out the coop and are deciding important things.

The coop (4x4) is attached to a run and will be beneath a higher corrugated roof (so no worries about rain). I was thinking of making the half the coop roof hardware cloth instead of wood to let in light and fresh air, but I'm not sure this will be warm enough in winters (~30 F) to trap the rising warm air vs. traditional side vents. I do feel it will help with condensation buildup and fumes but don't have enough experience to say if that is actually true.

Yes/no/maybe?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Translucent roofing will let the light in. The corrugation can act for all your ventilation. I'm in an area with many weasels. I don't concern myself if they get into the run but do hardware cloth the coop. Weasels are primarily night hunters and chickens are alert in daytime but can't see at night. Small runs and unprotected coops simply corral birds for easy meals.

In the case of using the roofing for venting I simply covered the top, screw with washer attached, the hardware cloth to the rafters. Roof was screwed over that. Ta da! Vented coop. In 4 ft the slant of roof should be minimum of 6" change in elevation for good air flow. Air will literally be sucked in the bottom of slant, mix with stale and moist air of coop along roof line and shoot out the top vent. Without fans there will be an enormous amount of air exchange keeping your coop clean air and dry. That's what animals need especially in winter. With a dry coop the birds can easily withstand your climate zone.