Ventilation for this coop

[Smileybans]

We got the fascia board off and there’s hidden nails in the soffit board somewhere. But I’m not sure where. My husband said he could see them between the coop and the roof. So in the soffit board but it’s nails to the coop too. I don’t see them. We have decided to cut the soffit board around the rafters. That will probably be the easiest way.

 

[Smileybans]

We got the soffit board out. There was only one nail to cut. But this morning there was frost on the roof of the coop. On the inside. The small little shiny stuff like the first frost of the year. Normal? I could tell the chickens felt the difference in the ventilation because they were all huddled together on the roost.

I only opened one side of the coop so far. The other side is going to be more difficult. The run it attached to the fascia and my husband is against taking it off until after we move.

 

[3KillerBs]

We got the soffit board out. There was only one nail to cut. But this morning there was frost on the roof of the coop. On the inside. The small little shiny stuff like the first frost of the year. Normal? I could tell the chickens felt the difference in the ventilation because they were all huddled together on the roost.

I only opened one side of the coop so far. The other side is going to be more difficult. The run it attached to the fascia and my husband is against taking it off until after we move.

Frost on the inside means that the humidity is still high.

 

[DickMidnight]

once both soffits are out, i think you need to open those gables up on both ends of the coop.

 

[Smileybans]

Frost on the inside means that the humidity is still high.

So take out the other soffit board?

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes.

And make sure there's a vent at the ridge or the gable peak to create airflow on the underside of the roof.

 

[21hens-incharge]

A great addition would be a humidity gauge inside the coop and another outside the coop. You can then check to see if they are at least close to each other.

I shoot for as close as possible to having them read the same. If I am 10% or more higher in the coop I open more ventilation....yes that means opening windows and do a cleaning of all droppings.

 

[Smileybans]

I have one gable opening on each side but can make another higher up if I need to. On the other soffit board I’m just going to cut it. Taking out the fascia board isn’t possible on the other side and it’s a pain. So I think I can try and cut the soffit board, now that I know what I’m dealing with, on the other side.

I’ll look into getting a couple humidity gauges. I wouldn’t have thought of that. I do clean the coop every Friday, add new bedding and mix it in. I did a full cleaning back in October.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have one gable opening on each side but can make another higher up if I need to. On the other soffit board I’m just going to cut it. Taking out the fascia board isn’t possible on the other side and it’s a pain. So I think I can try and cut the soffit board, now that I know what I’m dealing with, on the other side.

I’ll look into getting a couple humidity gauges. I wouldn’t have thought of that. I do clean the coop every Friday, add new bedding and mix it in. I did a full cleaning back in October.

The reason I mention the meters is you cannot get the inside humidity lower than the outside unless it's sealed up and you run a dehumidifier.... Which I definitely do NOT recommend.

 

[RoosterML]

Here’s the best pictures I have of the outside. I can take better ones tomorrow. These were taken the day it was delivered. View attachment 2926442View attachment 2926443View attachment 2926444View attachment 2926445

It’s hard to tell from these pictures but there is overhang and a board I think I can take out or cut holes in. To make the soffit ventilation. I would prefer that over the gable vents. Since it sounds, and looks, like they’ll be more protected in the winter. The wind can be pretty harsh sometimes.

I think that’s the ticket, if you can get that done.