Ventilation and floor Questions

[stewartfamof5]

I converted the back half of my shed into a new coop for our 16 new hens. I have 4 nesting boxes, and am concerned with the best way to keep air moving through it in the summer to keep the shed cool. Any Ideas??

I also used the roofing material suggested in one of the threads here for the floor as a sealer. It seems to be taking longer to dry than I thought. I used the sealer on Saturday and as of last night it was still "gummy" in some of the places it was thicker I could apply a finger print that would stay?

I just started chickens last year and am on my 3rd coop right now, yes I did say 3rd! First one was a tractor coop, after moving it ever other day for half the summer I was done. Second coop I can't get into without crawling, its 8X4 but only about 4 foot high. Water was a royal pain to deal with over the winter. So to the shed I went, this way I can get out of the weather to replenish food, check on the girls and get fresh water. I will try to post some pictures but right now I just want this to be the last coop I build out! I sectioned off an area about 4 foot wide and 14 feet long for the hens, looking to still build roosts, and feeders inside the shed, I like all of the PVC ideas, what about these PVC waterers in the winder during freezing months?

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

[JackE]

Eave vents, and cut a couple of big holes in the sides for window/ventilation/light. Of course, cover any new openings with hardware cloth. As far as the roofcoat curing. What was the temp when you applied it. If I remember correctly, the stuff I used, the temp had to be 70F or so. If it was, is cooler than that, the curing/drying time will be longer. And I hope you stirred the product well. It's a big bucket, and you really have to stir well.
Jack

 

[stewartfamof5]

I was able to get 1 Gallon of it, which was PERFECT for the space I had to work with. It was VERY thick. I basically used a putty knife to apply the entire area. I have a gable style Shed, so roof vents will be hard as there is storage above the "ceiling" of the coop. I was thinking about a house vent for the end of the coop, I am just afraid I will need a place for the air to come into the coop as well as the fan out.

Thanks for the help. I am still pretty new at it, but the family and I really enjoy having them around, plus the eggs are AMAZING.

Jonathan

 

[JackE]

I don't know where you live, but you are going to need more than a couple of house vents to properly ventilate a coop. Get out the saw, and cut some holes, and not little baby holes either.
Jack

 

[stewartfamof5]

I live on the North side of Columbus Ohio, so I get 90 degree summers, and then 8 degree winters as well. I will work on getting more air movement on the back side of the coop. Thanks for the insight. I bet better air flow will also help the roofing material dry I used on the floor. I will attempt to post some pictures this weekend.

Jonathan