Ventilation ideas anyone?

[PolarBerry]

So I have a coop that’s newly built. It has a 24” square window on one side that opens and has a screen (protected by hardware cloth). All along the upper eaves is an air gap also covered by hardware cloth.

My issue is I’m trying to get them used to the coop itself and so I’ve left them all locked in it for 4 days and the bedding is damp to the touch from condensation. We’re having cool nights and hot days still so this doesn’t help, but it shouldn’t need a shaving change after a week.

The coop is 8x4 with an additional 2x4 nest box off one end. I do have a few too many birds in it (10 hens and 1 banty rooster). But they will be going into a free range area and to be honest I expect to lose maybe a few to predators since we’re deep in the woods which is why I haven’t gotten rid of any. They’re all about 4-5 months old so not full size either. The fence is 6 ft tall no climb with a hot line and the half acre area has a lot of chicken hiding spots but who knows, everything finds chicken delicious...

I have 4” of ventilation around the entirety of the top right below the roof and I haven’t closed off the window... so where would vents be best cut out (low or high)?

 

[True Patriot]

Pics would help. If the eaves are vented you can add some vents just above floor level, this will allow natural convection to pull the warm damp air up and out the eaves. Heat/air conditioning register covers make good vents, back with hardware cloth. You can also use soffit vents.

 

[PolarBerry]

I’m assuming under the roost would be a good spot to add some in since that wall has no doors/window.

 

[True Patriot]

Nice coop
I cut a vent slot under my roost as you were thinking.

Its just visible under lower roost.
Your coop looks more finished than mine. I haven't done trim work, function over form here. To make a more finished look some small Gable vents in the corners by the nest boxes would give the airflow and provide a more appealing look. They would also keep the worst of the weather out.

 

[True Patriot]

Something similar to this would be a good option
https://m.lowes.com/pd/CMI-14-in-x-18-in-White-Rectangle-Steel-Gable-Vent/3284756

 

[PolarBerry]

Today was warmer and so I let them out into their makeshift temporary yard within the yard (so they are stuck closer to the coop) and of course my 3 lighter breeds flew over the 4-5’ fence and were out wandering about. Was able to catch them and put them back. Real question is if they’ll willingly go in the coop at night.

 

[True Patriot]

They have a good "home" instinct. I kept mine in the coop for about a week, then started letting them out. So far (5weeks) they return on their own at dusk. The only issue so far is a couple have gotten over the fence and couldn't figure out how to get back. They were relatively easy to return since they wanted in.

 

[PolarBerry]

I also left their feed and water inside the coop so they had to figure to go back up the ramp for both.

The goats didn’t like being included in the chicken pecking order and chased them which made the escapees go right back in their pen when I opened the door.

My husband is thinking of using a circle drill bit to cut air holes along the bottom and maybe on the door too (like rows of 1” holes) and put some hardware cloth across.

 

[thehenhouseinpa]

I’m having a heck of a time this summer with how hot it’s been! My fiancé is adding a “window” where I can put a removable fan and replace for the winter next spring to help. I feel bad for them but I don’t want to not lock them in and something could get them.

 

[snow5164]

I’m thinking a house has those twirling vents on the roof to pull out the hot air , wouldn’t vents on the roof be a good idea?

Hot air rises after all