Solution for damp coop?

[Jonessa]

Well, you do need to find a solution using the plastic coop for now. The chickens can take the cold with no problem, but not the wet. More ventilation would help. Do you have electricity at the coop, or a way to get it there? The dehumidifier idea might work. Before we ran electricity out to our coops I actually used two 100' outdoor extension cords, so that's an option. But the connectors have to be well protected, and there are products available just for that.

Exactly, I need some simple stop-gap measures. I'll try adding more ventilation, and then might just have to change out the bedding more often. I don't have electricity out there, frankly it makes me a little nervous!

 

[Jonessa]

Has anyone used peat moss in their coop? Another chicken keeper suggested adding that to the pine shavings, because it can absorb so much moisture - but would it be too dusty?

 

[ValerieJ]

it's hard to make it drier inside than it is outside, and it is VERY wet outside.

I feel your pain!!! It's very wet here. People who don't live in these rainy climates don't understand that it rains for days and the ground doesn't dry in between storms. We have to build wooden coops with slight gaps in the doors or they will swell and not shut properly. I both love and hate all the rain. I wouldn't expect that I could keep a plastic shed dry here. I'm really at a loss. My wooden coops stay bone dry.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Has anyone used peat moss in their coop? Another chicken keeper suggested adding that to the pine shavings, because it can absorb so much moisture - but would it be too dusty?

I wouldn't go there. It will absorb moisture but then stay wet.

 

[aart]

Curious if there's any condensation clinging to the outside of the plastic walls.
Oh, might be hard to tell if it's always raining.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Can you install a roof vent? That may help the moist air escape better.

 

[LulaBell]

I used to have a wood coop and it was much dryer than my now metal coop. We recently moved and were unable to take our nice wooden coop with us so we had to utilize a small metal building that was on site at the new house. There is ventilation near roof line, but it always feels like it is damp. Is there something I can line the coop with ? Some sort of insulation?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Has anyone used peat moss in their coop? Another chicken keeper suggested adding that to the pine shavings, because it can absorb so much moisture - but would it be too dusty?

Peat moss absorbs moisture well... and then hangs onto it forever and never seems to dry out again. So I wouldn't be too keen on using that in a coop.

 

[Jonessa]

Curious if there's any condensation clinging to the outside of the plastic walls.
Oh, might be hard to tell if it's always raining.

After several days of pretty hard rain, we had a dry day today - the floor of the coop is still a little damp, but the inside walls are pretty well dry! Same as the outside. Just the slightest slick of condensation inside and out, the kind you can't readily see but can feel if you touch, if that makes sense? So, based on that, should I still be considering cutting another window near the peak? Or is this just a case of the humidity inside increasing along with the humidity outside, and somewhat outside of my control? Aside from more drastic measures, like insulation? (Frankly, not really feasible in my current temporary situation.)
I tried to find our humidity gauge, but it's packed away in storage (we only partially unpacked after moving here, anticipating a permanent move in the near future).

 

[Jonessa]

Thanks to those of you who weighed in on the peat moss. That actually makes sense that it would hold onto the moisture and not dry out - thats why it's so good for newly seeded lawns!
What about pine pellets instead of shavings? Just trying to think of options that would stay dry and comfortable longer.