Ventilation Ideas/Help

[BluebirdHomestead]

Building on my post from yesterday, what do you think is the easiest possible way to add ventilation to this coop. Doesn’t have to be pretty, just easy. I don’t want it to be drafty in there, but I realize as of now, I don’t have enough ventilation.
What about a long skinny rectangle cut out of the right side top of this photo. Like 2” or 3” wide and extending almost the whole length of the coop? Then of course hardware cloth over it. It would be along the side that goes out to the run, which I plan to cover with a tarp for the winter then add a permanent roof this summer. Thoughts?

 

[cavemanrich]

Sounds good what you plan to do. In winter, observe the chickens feathers during a strong wind. If they move with the air movement,,,,,, then you have a draft situation. If feathers don't move,,,, the all is OK.
One option is to lower the roost bars if too close to upper openings.
Is the chicken pop door opening always open??? During strong winds, it may create some drafts. Consider having it partially or fully closed during such nights. (winter,and cold)
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[RoosterML]

Here is what I was thinking.
Remove the roost bar closest to the chicken door and put it so that both roost bars are located at this end where the black X is shown.
Cut a nice vent 12”x12” or 16”x16” up high across from the chicken door as shown in green. You can also cut another vent up high directly above the chicken door if more ventilation is needed. I would wait on that one though.
Now the air will come in the chicken door and vent out the new large opening across from it that is higher. Air movement is shown in red. I hope you can make out what I am saying. So basically at the far end you can have your ventilation while as this end your chickens will not be impacted by the draft of that ventilation. You can always make a flap for over the opening to open it as needed.

That will also make both your roosting bars closer to your big clean out door for easy cleaning.

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

Sounds good what you plan to do. In winter, observe the chickens feathers during a strong wind. If they move with the air movement,,,,,, then you have a draft situation. If feathers don't move,,,, the all is OK.
One option is to lower the roost bars if too close to upper openings.
Is the chicken pop door opening always open??? During strong winds, it may create some drafts. Consider having it partially or fully closed during such nights. (winter,and cold)
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

Thank you!!

I will be closing to pop door at night.

 

[BluebirdHomestead]

Here is what I was thinking.
Remove the roost bar closest to the chicken door and put it so that both roost bars are located at this end where the black X is shown.
Cut a nice vent 12”x12” or 16”x16” up high across from the chicken door as shown in green. You can also cut another vent up high directly above the chicken door if more ventilation is needed. I would wait on that one though.
Now the air will come in the chicken door and vent out the new large opening across from it that is higher. Air movement is shown in red. I hope you can make out what I am saying. So basically at the far end you can have your ventilation while as this end your chickens will not be impacted by the draft of that ventilation. You can always make a flap for over the opening to open it as needed.
View attachment 1951141
That will also make both your roosting bars closer to your big clean out door for easy cleaning.

Yes that makes total sense! Such a good point about moving the far roost bar closer to the door for cleaning purposes. I’ll definitely do that. If I close the pop door at night, will that be okay?

 

[RoosterML]

Yes that makes total sense! Such a good point about moving the far roost bar closer to the door for cleaning purposes. I’ll definitely do that. If I close the pop door at night, will that be okay?

You can try it and see how it goes. You can also make a door out of hardware cloth that you can close to secure the coop but still allow ventilation.

 

[Alaskan]

I like your idea of a big vent on the run side, since you plan to roof that.

It is MUCH nicer if the vent has good protection from weather, and that is what you will have.