KoaLovesChickens
In the Brooder
- Feb 12, 2020
- 37
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I need some help from people that either have construction or HVAC experience for figuring out some ventilation concerns/issues please! Attached are photos of my 100+ year old coop.
The previous renters "remodeled" the original coop and we're trying to put it back to how it was, or better, for better ventilation. We haven't had many issues (minor frostbite in the winter; a lot of humidity in the summer which might be causing respiratory issues we think) but we want to be sure our birds stay healthy in all seasons. A major remodel isn't really in the budget though, sadly.
My question is: With your experience and knowledge of construction and airflow, where would you most likely put vents for proper air movement? On the ceiling or on the walls?
We might have some "issues" that kind of prevent the exterior walls from being used, I think (?). Three of the four walls have tin on them, the only wall that does not is the face wall (wood, as pictured). Would it be most beneficial to put venting up in the ceiling instead of cutting into the tin, especially in the left side where there is plywood?
The building is "split" into three sections; the 'left' half of the building is divided into two separate coops as you can see from the pictures and the right half is one big room. The left is where we believe the renters did the most damage (as far as limiting air flow goes) as the ceiling has plywood covering it. The exterior walls in both sections are tin on the outside; however, the left most wall on the one section is flat tin, which separates it from the other half of the building. If we remove that flat tin (which is possible), the other side is slat wood/metal, as pictured. Would that give enough air flow? Or should we still consider putting the vents in the plywood ceiling?
The right half of building (w/the meat birds) shows the ceiling (it is like this underneath the plywood on the left side), as it's slatted to the "attic" - which allows for air flow? There is an "attic" door on the outside of the coop that can be opened - we just don't because we don't really know the importance (other than we THINK to let heat out?).
Northern MN.
The previous renters "remodeled" the original coop and we're trying to put it back to how it was, or better, for better ventilation. We haven't had many issues (minor frostbite in the winter; a lot of humidity in the summer which might be causing respiratory issues we think) but we want to be sure our birds stay healthy in all seasons. A major remodel isn't really in the budget though, sadly.
My question is: With your experience and knowledge of construction and airflow, where would you most likely put vents for proper air movement? On the ceiling or on the walls?
We might have some "issues" that kind of prevent the exterior walls from being used, I think (?). Three of the four walls have tin on them, the only wall that does not is the face wall (wood, as pictured). Would it be most beneficial to put venting up in the ceiling instead of cutting into the tin, especially in the left side where there is plywood?
The building is "split" into three sections; the 'left' half of the building is divided into two separate coops as you can see from the pictures and the right half is one big room. The left is where we believe the renters did the most damage (as far as limiting air flow goes) as the ceiling has plywood covering it. The exterior walls in both sections are tin on the outside; however, the left most wall on the one section is flat tin, which separates it from the other half of the building. If we remove that flat tin (which is possible), the other side is slat wood/metal, as pictured. Would that give enough air flow? Or should we still consider putting the vents in the plywood ceiling?
The right half of building (w/the meat birds) shows the ceiling (it is like this underneath the plywood on the left side), as it's slatted to the "attic" - which allows for air flow? There is an "attic" door on the outside of the coop that can be opened - we just don't because we don't really know the importance (other than we THINK to let heat out?).
Northern MN.
