The coop is too stuffy. Expert venting advice?

[HowIsItDone]

Can anyone explain the placement of small ventilation openings, vs large, at different heights, as far as it advances the rate of air replacement?
The idea being that you force air to move. On it's own.

I haven't made the holes yet, and I'd like your advice before we do!



The underside of the coop roof is completely open, on all 4 sides, surrounded by hardware cloth. It also has 2 small windows and a pop door.
The front door is 1/2 screen.
But when there is no breeze, nothing's moving at floor level. Yeah, I know, what did I expect?

The coop should have more ventilation, lower down, but should they be big openings, or small?
Any engineers want to chime in?

I was told that smaller vents at the bottom would create a better air exchange than larger vents, lifting the heat out, and moving the air more efficiently.

Is that true?
Big vents at the bottom, or little ones?

 

[cavemanrich]

2 small vents on the bottom should be sufficient. One, pop door into run. other opposite wall but covered with louvers to keep out rain.
Are those 2 windows open during summer?? and it still feels stuffy?? What does the thermometer indicate on those days?? Inside coop temperature.
You may consider installing 2 roof vents then.
Many people construct their coop roof a single slope. The eves are open, and a natural airflow occurs.
Your roof has 2 slopes, and the natural airflow meets in the peak area. Then needs to exit out the ends. I think it should do that well, but additional roof vents would not hurt.
You are in zone 5B or 6A, my guess. During winter, you don't want any direct drafts fluffing your chickens' feathers.
The 2 small openings low, and the open roof area should provide good ventilation, and no dangers of DRAFTS.
That does not mean your chickens are free from frostbite. Frostbite is more likely to happen in poorly ventilated coops where moisture is higher amounts. But still possible regardless of best efforts. Many times due to chicken comb and wattle size.
If during heavy rains, you notice wet floor inside, figure out how to remedy that. Same would be for blowing snow in winter.
Well, I shared what my thoughts were.
NICE BUILD


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[aart]

The underside of the coop roof is completely open, on all 4 sides, surrounded by hardware cloth.

The open gables look pretty good, tho I wonder if you'll have precipitation incursion, especially in winter snows.

But the eaves look odd, are the rafters 2x4's on edge?
They look more like 2x2's?
Pics of the inside might help here.

 

[HowIsItDone]

2 small vents on the bottom should be sufficient. One, pop door into run. other opposite wall but covered with louvers to keep out rain.

That's very helpful, cavemanrich.

I'll try the small vent across from the pop door, and if that doesn't solve the problem, I'll add roof vents.

I haven't taken a thermometer in. I was just checking by feel on those hot days. There was little to no wind at the time, which didn't help.

You are in zone 5B or 6A, my guess.

Nailed it. Zone 5B.

The 2 small openings low, and the open roof area should provide good ventilation, and no dangers of DRAFTS.

Oh, okay. I was afraid to put the ventilation too low, due to drafts, but it sounds like it will be safe.

If during heavy rains, you notice wet floor inside, figure out how to remedy that.

I've been watching for that. All dry so far, but we do plan to extend a small cover over the main screened door, just in case.

NICE BUILD

Thanks! My son built it.
Appreciate the welcome. I knew someone here could help, and today it was you!

 

[HowIsItDone]

The open gables look pretty good, tho I wonder if you'll have precipitation incursion, especially in winter snows.

But the eaves look odd, are the rafters 2x4's on edge?

Yes, 2 X 4.
Does this help?

 

[aart]

Does this help?

Yes.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I know that most Ventilation solutions are permanent and not adjustable, but I like having options in my coop. I have Ventilation on all 4 sides of the coop and many windows. This way it can go anywhere from open air coop to air tight. It's been a great test case for Ventilation as when I've got it closed up to tight I do see condensation so then I open more vents. I just make sure that nothing equals air flow directly on roosting chicken heads....

 

[HowIsItDone]

I just make sure that nothing equals air flow directly on roosting chicken heads....

I love your airflow openings! Such a nice design.
Does it get very cold there?

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I love your airflow openings! Such a nice design.
Does it get very cold there?

Awe, thank you. It get's into the teens and it's very wet. I used to live in Alaska and the difference between dry climate and wet climate is significant. I honestly feel like it's easier to keep warm in -20* in dry Alaska than it is in wet 20* Oregon.

 

[HowIsItDone]

the difference between dry climate and wet climate is significant.

Yes, the damp is much worse than the cold.