Too much ventilation?

[fuzzy8]

I live in upper Michigan. My coop as of now has Windows but they do not open. So even in winter I would need cents? This coop isn't perfectly air tight.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

In my brooder house, I have a ridge vent the length of the building, a window that stays open 24/7 and the double man door stays open all day. If I don't muck out the coop regularly, the ammonia hits me when I walk in the door. It is the most closed building I have. I'm getting ready to incorporate a forced air system to bring in fresh air.

Where in the world one lives, doesn't dictate ventilation very much. Moisture, ammonia and pathogens that thrive in moist warmer environments are the reason.

 

[fuzzy8]

I didn't know if having too much ventilation would let out too much heat in the brutal upper Michigan winters?

 

[ShrekDawg]

I don't think it wold but not sure. I know there is someone on here, forget who, I think maybe @JackE ???? That has a whole wall of mesh and it is open year round. He lives in a cold climate too. I think his coop follows a certain method, can't remember the name, but there is a certain way to do that without freezing them. You obviously don't necessarily have to do that but you do need ventilation. I used to think I would freeze mine too vut right now mine are in a 3x3 coop kit from TSC and there is a hardware cloth square window on the back door, at roost level, and a smaller window above that one, and then on the front wall the same size little portal above the door. Mine aren't frozen yet. I am building a 4x8 coop now though as mine is far too small for 8. I did have one get a touch of frost bite but that's just because the design really is not done right, they should not be right next to the window, but still, they didn't freeze. From what I have read, the roosts should be about 1 foot to 18 inches below any ventilation so that the drafts blow overhead and are not at roost level. As long as you do that, they should be fine. And put the gable vents at the very top and it should be well above the roosts anyways, that's the key. But honestly, I too was once terrified they would freeze but I've read and been told that humidity and moisture is much more of a concern and provides a higher risk of frost bite then just the cold/temperature.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It is impossible to have too much ventilation. Chickens can live in trees. That's good ventilation. The better the ventilation, the less likely they are to have respiratory problems. Besides all the vents, I'd install some big windows. Shoot for 1 sq. ft. of opening per bird. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop I like ridge vents but they are worthless when covered in snow. Winter is when you need the most ventilation to vent off moisture. Humidity is more of a factor in frostbite than temperature.

And rwad this article, it may help

 

[ShrekDawg]

I didn't know if having too much ventilation would let out too much heat in the brutal upper Michigan winters?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chickens evolved from jungle fowl that, in their original form, adapt well to a wide range of climates including into the Himalayan foothills. That without being concerned about windows. No buildings at all.
Since then, they have been spread to all continents except Antarctica. Most of the breeds we raise were developed in quite cold climates and when they were being developed 100 to 500 years ago, they didn't heat buildings and didn't worry about it being too cold. It is rare for it to be too cold for a chicken.
Plymouth Rocks come from Massachusetts in the 1800s Remember the record snowfalls last year?
Dominiques, America's oldest breed developed in New England by the Puritans in colonial times. Do you think they coddled them with cozy warm buildings?
Javas, America's second oldest breed are the foundation of many other American class breeds like RIRs and Jersey Giants. Oh yeah, Rhode Island gets cold, as does New Jersey.
Buckeyes are from Ohio, cold snowy winters.
Delawares, yes cold there too.
New Hampshires, extremely cold there too.
Wyandottes, upstate New York - cold winter.
Chantecler, Canada gets cold.
Sussex, Orpington and Dorkings among others are from England in the 1800s or earlier, cold in winter.
Continental class breeds come from Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Very cold winters. Polish were in the Netherlands in the 16th century where the best ice skaters come from. They didn't worry about them being too cold.
Easter eggers and Ameraucanas developed from Araucanas. They were raised by Mapuche in Southern Chile in pre-Columbian times. Southern Chile gets very cold in winter.

 

[fuzzy8]

All very good points. But I also have 4 ducks that will be in this coop. I think I will add rectangle vent to each end of the coop up high

 

[ShrekDawg]

All very good points. But I also have 4 ducks that will be in this coop. I think I will add rectangle vent to each end of the coop up high

Sounds like a good plan!

We are adding gable vents to each end but I'm sure any vent would work.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depending on breed/species of duck, they can be more cold hardy than chickens.

Gable vents are never a bad idea. Vents off moisture and ammonia.