Ventilation Help Please

[Latestarter]

They will ALWAYS (when in their right little minds) go for the highest thing they can get their feet on to roost. Even if it's NOT the best thing for them to stand on. A million years of evolution as prey drives them... higher is better. higher is not becoming a meal.

A 1" x just about anything is liable to break with more than a couple of birds on it. A full grown LF can easily weigh ten+ pounds. Just a heads up

Hey, no worries! Considering the unplanned nature of your chicken adventure, I think you're doing a GREAT job! And you've come to the right place to learn all the stuff you need to be a real champ at chickeneering Keep up the good work!

 

[TalkALittle]

I was following you until the end - let me first explain. The 'coop' is about 8 foot wide and 7 foot or so deep. The box that the roost in is inside the coop. There are separate boxes (also in the coop) for them to lay their eggs in - because that's what they seemed to want. They all sleep in this nesting box that was originally one of those coops in a box that was way too small - in my opinion. Almost immediately, I tore it down and used the pieces for the front of the walk in coop. The box does have a laying box attached to it that my adult hen & rooster prefer to sleep in. The box is about 30 inches square - probably 40 to 48 tall now that I raised the roof. It is open (somewhat closed for the winter) on two sides [South & East].

If I take the top off completely, the two American Game Hen pullets would be going in and out from the top. I have had it raised for a couple of days now and it seems to have taken care of the problem. I removed any roosts from within a foot of the top and put a slat across the middle - I will get another picture up tomorrow. I use the space on top of the raised roof to store a few things - seems to be working out, but now I need to build another coop to introduce the babies. Hopefully the new coop I can build right the first time!

I totally understand the modification you made. I think you need some clarification on terms. It will help you get better answers and understand those responses if you use the terms coop and nest box as they are commonly used by the majority of members on this board.

Here is what you have:

As I said before, remove the ceiling and open the coop all the way to the roof. Yes, I know this means that you will need to extend that wall between the coop and run. Just use that piece that you had been using for the ceiling.

Trust me, the additional headroom will enable moist air to rise above the height of the roost and escape out those little gaps at the roofline and will likely immediately solve your problem completely.

 

[aart]

Great labeling!
....and the whole thing is in a 'pen'.
But I think the roosts are in the run?

 

[Folly's place]

For roosts, I use saplings ranging from 2" to 4" diameter, and some of my birds roost eight feet up on the rafters, which are 4" fence posts. Birds roost in trees, so the whole 'flat side up' board idea is usable, but not really natural to them. Their feet stay warm just fine!
I would wrap the coop/run to the bottom on the right side of the photo, so all three sides are protected from the wind. Leave the front (south?) side open.
Your coop area is a little cave! Add a window, or something, so there's some light and ventilation in there. Taking that interior roof off sounds good too.
I'm concerned about the safety of your whole set-up. No openings should be larger then 1/2" diameter, anywhere! Rats and weasels will walk right in there, and bigger critters can tear into it too.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

I just looked at your pictures again; the birds in the coop area in the early pix are on the roost bars, right? They want t be higher, so went to the shelf above. If you remove that, they will also have more head room when roosting.
Mary