Ventilating the coop?

[Scareab]

I have a small coop for 2 to 3 chickens and unfortunately one of my birds passed away from the coop being so hot while she was trying to lay.
I don’t want this happening again but the Texas weather is brutal hitting 105 where I’m at. It doesn’t help that there doesn’t seem to be much air flow in the backyard but shade isn’t an issue. We keep the co-op doors open to help take out the heat but I think it gets trapped above where they rest.

I’m struggling with trying to find ways to ventilate the coop. Maybe by solar panel fans above where they rest? I can build a small pool or dust bath for them. (They seem to already dust well but maybe a shaded designated spot?) if there is a small portable air conditioning device I can get to keep it cool in there or around the coop?

I’m looking for any suggestions I love my birds and want to keep them nice and cool!
I’m planning on getting a barred rock next but I want to figure this out before I take on another bird.

 

[3KillerBs]

Unfortunately, those little prefabs are notoriously ill-ventilated.

Here is my article on ventilation: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

And my article on hot climate chicken care: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

Your photos don't show much of your run. Is it roofed? Can you show us your entire setup -- coop, run, surrounding setting to show where you have shade vs sun?

Here's a useful thread on remodeling prefab coops: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

 

[neo71665]

Yes it is and one of the most popular on the market. TSC sells them like hotcakes. I use one as a grow-out coop. I saw one last week that now has vents installed from factory but still not enough IMO.

Whats most popular doesn't mean anything more than it's easily found. I can find cherry coke at any gas station in the nation, doesn't mean it's better than cheerwine.

 

[3KillerBs]

If you really wanna try to get some acceptable ventilation out of what you have you can add 3 6 inch vents to each side of the coop at the gables.

For Texas taking the entire gable triangle out is probably necessary.

Which then requires adding awnings to protect the vents from weather.

 

[neo71665]

For Texas taking the entire gable triangle out is probably necessary.

Which then requires adding awnings to protect the vents from weather.

From somebody with very similar weather as most of TX I tend to agree.

I'd also suggest putting a ridge vent on the top of it.

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you guys have any suggestions on that size kind of coop that has good ventilation? What small coop do y'all recommend?
Also we let our chicken run around in the whole back yard so space isn't an issue! We just want one to three chickens currently!

There really is no good prefab readily available. A hoop coop is usually thought of as the easiest for a person with limited tools and DIY skills to build.

In Texas you would probably do best with an Open Air style coop that encompasses coop and run in the same unit. The coop featured in the hot climate article is my large Open Air coop.

Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Open Air Coops

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-positive-local-action-coop.72804/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/california-living.68130/

Hoop Coops

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-tractor.69336/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-biddie-bordello-a-hoop-coop-run-combo.72189/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

 

[neo71665]

There really isn't a good pre fab coop out there. That is why most of us on here are against them. For the same amount most of them cost you can build a much better one from scratch.



I'm sure there is some unknown maker out there that custom builds 3 prefabs a year that somebody on here will point out.

 

[TXchickmum]

I haven't found any prefab coops that will work in our heat here in Texas. My husband built an open air coop/run combo (very similar to Carolina coop). Our local feed store (family-owned) occasionally has some coops ready built for purchase by a local craftsman. They are larger than prefab coops, and have good ventilation. -might check with a local feed/garden store and see if they have something like that. If you keep the one you have, definitely add vents - and I agree with the suggestion of removing the entire triangle and covering with hardware cloth. When it gets up over 100, I hook a mister to the water hose and plug in a fan or two aimed on the run. This keeps cool blowing on them.

 

[Thatscluckinggreat]

I'd also suggest putting a ridge vent on the top of it

Great minds think alike lol

 

[neo71665]

I haven't found any prefab coops that will work in our heat here in Texas. My husband built an open air coop/run combo (very similar to Carolina coop). Our local feed store (family-owned) occasionally has some coops ready built for purchase by a local craftsman. They are larger than prefab coops, and have good ventilation. -might check with a local feed/garden store and see if they have something like that. If you keep the one you have, definitely add vents - and I agree with the suggestion of removing the entire triangle and covering with hardware cloth. When it gets up over 100, I hook a mister to the water hose and plug in a fan or two aimed on the run. This keeps cool blowing on them.

Yep my coop is only solid on 3 sides. The whole front is open. The back wall is open 12 inches down from the roof all away across. I can close the front off easy enough with a tarp in the winter but so far I haven't needed to.