Should I get an exhaust fan?

[AshleeW]

I live in Bellevue Nebraska, I have seen coops with exhaust fans and without. I am not sure what I should do? Should I get one? Why don’t some have it, are there other options to move air through the coop?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Exhaust fans are nice to have but require electricity and regular cleaning and maintenance. The other option is to have large vents placed in such a way that they provide ample cross ventilation but won't allow drafts to hit the birds, such as in the eaves. Rule of thumb is 1 square foot of vents per bird that stay open 24/7/365.

 

[AshleeW]

Exhaust fans are nice to have but require electricity and regular cleaning and maintenance. The other option is to have large vents placed in such a way that they provide ample cross ventilation but won't allow drafts to hit the birds, such as in the eaves. Rule of thumb is 1 square foot of vents per bird that stay open 24/7/365.

Thank you!

 

[Anon112]

You can construct in such a way that you get natural air flow. Warm air rises, so having a setup where air can get in low, and then leave through the top, but without any wind being able to directly blow on the chickens.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

You can construct in such a way that you get natural air flow. Warm air rises, so having a setup where air can get in low, and then leave through the top, but without any wind being able to directly blow on the chickens.

I agree, but I’ll note that in the peak of summer, with still, hot, humid air, this natural air flow process might need some help.

A fan up in the peak of the eaves, facing outward (pulling hot air out), might be pretty important.

 

[Anon112]

I agree, but I’ll note that in the peak of summer, with still, hot, humid air, this natural air flow process might need some help.

A fan up in the peak of the eaves, facing outward (pulling hot air out), might be pretty important.

Definitely. I think it depends on the lay of the land and the natural air flow.

There are some other non-electric options like strategically creating shaded areas so that the incoming air is cooler.

If electricity is available, a fan is a great option.

 

[saysfaa]

If you get one, one rated for barns is much safer. It will have the moving parts sealed so the dust is much less likely to catch fire from the friction.

 

[Anon112]

If you get one, one rated for barns is much safer. It will have the moving parts sealed so the dust is much less likely to catch fire from the friction.

This is a really great point. Chickens kick up so much dust---adding anything electric you really have to take that into account.

*Please note this post was written by a total hypocrite who currently has an indoor rated power strip out in my chicken run*

 

[SamLockwood]

I live in Bellevue Nebraska, I have seen coops with exhaust fans and without. I am not sure what I should do? Should I get one? Why don’t some have it, are there other options to move air through the coop?

I've used automatic crawlspace vents to pretty decent effect. I set them up with a cross-draft and away from where the birds roost. They tend to open up fully only when it's over 70 degrees and they close up when it's 40 degrees or below.

If you're worried about heat in the summer, paint the roof & exterior a light color. I painted my coops a "sandstone" white and used white corrogated polycarbonate for the roofs.

In general, though, the biggest help is to just regularly clean out the coop & nesting boxes. I just use my nose as a guide, if there's any kind of an ammonia or other bad smell it's time to clean everything out. I scrape or sweep out all the old litter (which I compost for fertilizer), and a couple times a year I'll hose the coop out for good measure.