Ventilation for free range birds

[Karen612]

We are in the midst of constructing our chicken house for our 7 chickens (though will be 5 in a few weeks). We have around 300m fenced in space out side with 5 fruit trees that we will let them run freely in. My question is HOW much ventilation is enough since they will be outside most all day except during the rainy season (Nov-March).
Here is a small photo of our progress. The coup is . Right now our idea is to leave gaps in the slanted roof and cover with mesh, then just get tarps during the raining season. We have one side that is a door for us and then a small chicken door on another side that’ll stay open during the day.
Should we put a windows on one or the other walls?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Think of ventilation as something that's even more important at night, when the birds are locked in with no doors open, and go from there.

Ideally you'd want 1 sq ft (0.092903 sq meter) of vent per bird, open at all times, but that may be difficult in a smaller coop. So try to maximize as much as you can in the space you have, without putting drafts right through the roost area.

 

[Karen612]

Think of ventilation as something that's even more important at night, when the birds are locked in with no doors open, and go from there.

Ideally you'd want 1 sq ft (0.092903 sq meter) of vent per bird, open at all times, but that may be difficult in a smaller coop. So try to maximize as much as you can in the space you have, without putting drafts right through the roost area.

Ok so what if we did open vent areas a few 2in long covered with screen, and running the length of to sides (roughly 5ft long) would that be good? Where should the roost positioned so they don’t get a strong draft? We were going to do it in a corner. One roost at 1 1/2f and another at 2 1/2

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok so what if we did open vent areas a few 2in long covered with screen, and running the length of to sides (roughly 5ft long) would that be good? Where should the roost positioned so they don’t get a strong draft? We were going to do it in a corner. One roost at 1 1/2f and another at 2 1/2

For ventilation, in addition to what you noted above, maybe consider where you could install louvered vents, such as this type: https://www.amazon.com/Duraflo-6212...511372_1_8?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1588398802&sr=1-8 as they'll let in some air while protected from drafts and elements.

Re: roosts, in the corner as in diagonally? Best to have roosts parallel to walls instead of diagonal, as the ends of the diagonal would be too tight to allow birds to use it.

 

[Karen612]

For ventilation, in addition to what you noted above, maybe consider where you could install louvered vents, such as this type: https://www.amazon.com/Duraflo-6212...511372_1_8?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1588398802&sr=1-8 as they'll let in some air while protected from drafts and elements.

Re: roosts, in the corner as in diagonally? Best to have roosts parallel to walls instead of diagonal, as the ends of the diagonal would be too tight to allow birds to use it.

Thanks on both fronts

 

[aart]

'Free range' doesn't matter, because......

Think of ventilation as something that's even more important at night, when the birds are locked in with no doors open, and go from there.

Ditto Dat!

My question is HOW much ventilation is enough since they will be outside most all day except during the rainy season (Nov-March).

That's a huge consideration....how much rainy are we talking about
Large roof overhangs will help protect any vents/windows.
Soffit venting in those overhangs will help when windows need to be closed.

Welcome to BYC! @Karen612
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Karen612]

'Free range' doesn't matter, because......
Ditto Dat!

That's a huge consideration....how much rainy are we talking about
Large roof overhangs will help protect any vents/windows.
Soffit venting in those overhangs will help when windows need to be closed.

Welcome to BYC! @Karen612
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2119367

Thanks I will do that. And yes my husband and I already said we would do overhands on the roof. It depends every year. It’s not thunder storms just heavy steady rain sometimes with wind for days. In the spring there can be small hail every now and then.
we live in the Golan Heights of Israel, the northern part in the mountains close to Syria and Lebanon