Ventilation and drafts...how to have one without the other in winter??

[patandchickens]

BTW, in looking up air exchange numbers for commercial operations I came across the following, which is an interesting read. Remember it is really aimed at giant commercial poultry barns with forced-air systems. However, a lot of the general concepts apply well to backyard coops too:

http://www.aviagen.com/docs/AviaTechWinterVent.pdf

Notable points: seal leaks, so air is coming in only through intended openings, to minimize dampness from condensation in the coop. Insulate. Increase ventilation as needed according to birds' growth etc. Have cool air coming in high up, and ideally mixing well with coop air before hitting the birds. If dampness or smell become a problem, increase ventilation.

Pat

 

[patandchickens]

Sorry, me again

For those further interested in Googling up info on the subject of designing coop ventilation, it would seem that the "magic code word" for nonmechanical systems is "natural ventilation" or "naturally ventilated".

Some interesting sites on the subject include:

http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/AE/AE-97.html
http://www3.abe.iastate.edu/livestock/natural_ventilation.asp
http://www3.abe.iastate.edu/livestock/troubleshoot.asp
http://www3.abe.iastate.edu/livestock/summary_vent.asp

Pat