Ventilation for small coop

[Sammster]

A few pictures from today

 

[Sammster]

How many chickens?

6

 

[Sammster]

I may be down to 5, soon. If Eleanor proves to be Elmer, as I suspect

 

[3KillerBs]

The coop is 44"x53"

So, 16 square feet.

At 4 square feet for the recommended minimum you've got 6 chickens in space for 4 (or were yours bantams? I'm sorry, I've forgotten), which means that you'll need really excellent ventilation to keep moisture and ammonia from building up.

The minimum suggested ventilation for 6 chickens is 6 square feet.

Allowing for the framing, opening an 8" tall space across the top of the high side would give you a little less than 3 square feet of venting.

Making your triangles 8" tall and 2 feet long would add almost 1.5 square feet -- so that would be between 4 and 4.5 square feet. Adding that to what you already have would probably be enough, though the real test comes when you measure temperature and humidity.

I may be down to 5, soon. If Eleanor proves to be Elmer, as I suspect

That would take a little pressure off the system.

A few pictures from today

I love the shade corner and the way the playhouse offers structure and spaces to perch and hide. Are those sheets? Shower curtains? ???

 

[Painted Calls]

Keep in mind that those measurements likely include the nesting boxes.

The one you're concerned about is indeed a cockerel. The second one needs a bit more time to be sure about.

 

[Sammster]

So, 16 square feet.

At 4 square feet for the recommended minimum you've got 6 chickens in space for 4 (or were yours bantams? I'm sorry, I've forgotten), which means that you'll need really excellent ventilation to keep moisture and ammonia from building up.

The minimum suggested ventilation for 6 chickens is 6 square feet.

Allowing for the framing, opening an 8" tall space across the top of the high side would give you a little less than 3 square feet of venting.

Making your triangles 8" tall and 2 feet long would add almost 1.5 square feet -- so that would be between 4 and 4.5 square feet. Adding that to what you already have would probably be enough, though the real test comes when you measure temperature and humidity.



That would take a little pressure off the system.



I love the shade corner and the way the playhouse offers structure and spaces to perch and hide. Are those sheets? Shower curtains? ???

It's a shower curtain. The coop is generally shaded in the heat of the day, except for a brief time. They LOVE their little spa/playhouse. Their dirt bath is in there.

Sadly, it's looking like I may be down to 3 or 4..... based on potential sexing

 

[Sammster]

Keep in mind that those measurements likely include the nesting boxes.

The one you're concerned about is indeed a cockerel. The second one needs a bit more time to be sure about.

It does include nesting boxes, however there is a loft over the boxes, that the perches extend over

 

[Painted Calls]

It does include nesting boxes, however there is a loft over the boxes, that the perches extend over

The sqft allowance is for floor space. Not roosting space.

So the roosts go over over nesting boxes? Who on earth came up with that design?

 

[Sammster]

The sqft allowance is for floor space. Not roosting space.

So the roosts go over over nesting boxes? Who on earth came up with that design?

It's made by

The sqft allowance is for floor space. Not roosting space.

So the roosts go over over nesting boxes? Who on earth came up with that design?

It's a Producer's Pride Defender Coop. I bought it through TSC.
The roosts go over the nesting boxes - "loft" style.
Here is a photo of the inside. The nesting boxes are currently closed off

 

[Sammster]

Oh, and they will be getting wider roosting perches