Scareab

Songster
Dec 13, 2019
41
85
109
Dallas Texas
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.
 

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semi easy way but might need other ideas is to use a hole saw and add some holes around the top then cover with hardware cloth depending on predators.

a picture of your set up might also help us determine what you can do to it.
 
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/
 
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.
 
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!
 
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/
 

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