Ventilation on Amish Style Coop

[AprilsZoo]

Is this metal and if so, is it rated for outdoor use?

As I stated, it *is* metal. Aluminum, and I think there was one type that was steel. The colors are from annodated(?) coating. The guy in the construction materials dep’t (where this was located) said that it was made to be used outdoors. I had asked whether it could be used to cover ventilation openings in a tuff-shed... I didn’t want to say it was for a chicken coop, and have him think I was a loon.
It was available in sheets 1’x 2’, 2’x 3’, and one other size— 3’x 3’, maybe?
It really was very pretty. There were 3 different designs. They had white, brown, gold, and a bronze color. The price varies depending on color.

 

[saysfaa]

That could look good. One thing to keep in mind is if it is more metal than open spaces then a one foot by one foot opening in your coop covered by this will give you less than a half a square foot of ventilation. If you have lots of extra opening that won't matter. Otherwise, you might be able to paint a pattern on hardware cloth. People paint it black to be able to see through it or to make it less obvious, so it is paintable.

 

[Carson213]

We're buying our neighbor's "Over E-Z Amish Style coop". - it has 2 windows above the nest box, SUPPOSED to hold 20 chickens, but I have plans for 6 - 8 at the MOST! (she said)

I know the windows can be opened and allow ventilation, but those tiny vents above the Human door and the pop door just drive me nuts! I'd like to either cut out the area where the vents are and cover with hardware cloth and trim OR cut out an area across from the windows, above the roosts for additional ventilation.

Anyone have any suggestions...I mean...those holes/vents just don't seem right to me!

Thankew very much!

no idea what “amish style” means

 

[Carson213]

no idea what “amish style” means

i just looked the amish on wiki...what is an amish chicken coop? i live in oregon...please explain

 

[rosemarythyme]

As I stated, it *is* metal. Aluminum, and I think there was one type that was steel. The colors are from annodated(?) coating. The guy in the construction materials dep’t (where this was located) said that it was made to be used outdoors. I had asked whether it could be used to cover ventilation openings in a tuff-shed... I didn’t want to say it was for a chicken coop, and have him think I was a loon.
It was available in sheets 1’x 2’, 2’x 3’, and one other size— 3’x 3’, maybe?
It really was very pretty. There were 3 different designs. They had white, brown, gold, and a bronze color. The price varies depending on color.

Oops totally missed the metal part... I was busy squinting at the picture trying to read the text on that! Really is prettier than hardware cloth.

It'd probably work well in certain applications (like I'd give serious thought to picking some up to cover my floor vents, because the chickens insist on peeling off the paint on the exterior ) - I'll have to review it if I end up picking some up and trying it out.

 

[3KillerBs]

i just looked the amish on wiki...what is an amish chicken coop? i live in oregon...please explain

I'm afraid that "Amish" has become a marketing term that has little or nothing to do with the actual Amish people.

 

[saysfaa]

Around here there are a lot of Amish and many of them make their living building things from wood. Usually furniture or cabinets or small buildings or barns. They have a reputation for very high quality work or for well built at reasonable prices. And, generally, simple designs although some will build fancier designs sometimes. And, yes, sometimes advantage is taken of the name/term and reputation but usually the reputation is deserved and the work is done by real Amish. Again, around here.

 

[roy2636]

Cudos for you questioning the ventilation system in these coop styles! I simply can't imagine the manufacturer thinking it's adequate - not according to everything I read on this site.

I have a friend that uses an Over EZ style coop and houses 15 chickens in it and she says the chickens are fine. We live in the PacNW, so in our area we have mild winters and MIGHT have a total of 2-3 wks of really hot weather. So I don't think she's gone a long time when the chickens have had to stay in the coop due to the winter weather.

Nevertheless, although I'm a newbie, I think chickens would only benefit from extra ventilation. My husband I discussed what to do about the same style of coop we're buying from our neighbor and we decided more 3-4 holes, covered with hardware cloth would do more good than harm.

I'm not sure if the windows are covered with hardware cloth, haven't had an "up-close look" at them but will add it if it's not already on them.

I'm still curious as to why they wouldn't have more ventilation if its needed. you would think you would hear about more issues and that it would make the company look bad if chickens ended up sick and dying. you could argue cost, but i dont see that it would cost any more than it would now.

 

[aart]

I'm still curious as to why they wouldn't have more ventilation if its needed. you would think you would hear about more issues and that it would make the company look bad if chickens ended up sick and dying. you could argue cost, but i dont see that it would cost any more than it would now.

We all wonder that, with many different 'commercial' coop designs out there.
It is what it is.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm still curious as to why they wouldn't have more ventilation if its needed. you would think you would hear about more issues and that it would make the company look bad if chickens ended up sick and dying. you could argue cost, but i dont see that it would cost any more than it would now.

They comply with the recommendations for commercial chicken-keeping, which works with the intensive management practices -- including forced air ventilation systems.