Ventilation or Drafts?

[Tuwamare]

So we're using fence boards as an economical way to wall our coop. Being what they are, there are some small gaps here and there as we push them against each other. Do these gaps count as ventilation or drafts? We have two large areas in front covered by hardware cloth for air flow.

 

[Doc7]

No, cut massive holes in them. Really big. You can’t ventilate too much.
My coops are ventilated with an average of 8” from roof line down being hardware cloth, all the way around. The chickens heads are just about even with the bottom of that.

 

[Tuwamare]

Thanks!

 

[RobertaD1]

Im not sure what your winters are like in Oregon, but here in Ohio, we had the same gaps in our walls.... used decking boards to sure up an old coop.... and the same type of openings created drafts in the winter. We ended up covering the whole structure... minus ventilation areas.... with Tyveck and T1-11 to stop the drafts.

 

[Tuwamare]

@RobertaD1 We don't get snow very often in our part of the state. The top and back will also be covered with a heavy duty tarp, so hopefully that will help.

 

[RobertaD1]

Good! Then you should be fine as long as we keep those winter winds in this part of the country!

 

[aart]

So we're using fence boards as an economical way to wall our coop. Being what they are, there are some small gaps here and there as we push them against each other. Do these gaps count as ventilation or drafts? We have two large areas in front covered by hardware cloth for air flow.

I'd say ventilation.
Unless they open up farther and allow airflow strong enough the literally ruffle the feathers on the birds as they roost at night when it's near freezing......then they are 'drafts'.
Observe and Adjust(if necessary).

Here's a good discussion about ventilation vs drafts:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts.1048597/

 

[Tuwamare]

Thank you!