ventilation question on new coop

[blefky]

Since I have little (REALLY little) carpentry experience, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase what I hope will be a pleasant home for my girls (they haven't moved in yet - can't wait!). I bought it from My Pet Chicken, it's called the Craftsman Coop. The question I have is about the ventilation panel in it (the link below is a picture of the side with the ventilation panel showing). While reading through some of the other posters' questions, it occurred to me that the opening in my coop could be a draft problem in the winter (I live in CT). The roosts in the coop are located on the same wall as the ventilation opening, and is not much above where "head level" will be as the chicks become chickens. There are two screened windows on the opposite wall. Seems great for summer breezes, but do you think that the long ventilation panel is going to allow way too much cold draft in winter? If so, any suggestions as to how to manage? I've been brainstorming and was wondering about maybe trying to attach some sort of deflector on the inside just to stop the rush of cold air while still allowing for ventilation - ? Any thoughts would really be appreciated, I'd like to make whatever changes I need to make before moving them in.



http://www.mypetchicken.com/PicturePop.aspx?image=/images/product_images/Popup/CC2.jpg

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You could always have something like a wide shelf above their heads in the winter. Just block off the front with wire, to keep them from roosting on it. That would make the roosting area more cozy in the winter, while still supplying a lot of ventilation.

 

[patandchickens]

Is there not some sort of ventilation opening along top of the *opposite* wall too, perhaps in the soffit or between rafter ends? That would be the ideal place to have ventilation open during winter. You are right, you can't be having that open right next to the roost in genuinely cold weather (esp if there is wind).

Honestly though that sort of coop is designed for convenient manufacturer and to suit a certain visual aesthetic, not really designed for optimal performance *as a chicken coop*. The manufacturer sort of intends you to jam it full of chickens, shut the vents tight in winter, and if necessary waste a buncha electricity heating to above freezing to avoid frostbite (or if your chickens GET frostbite, that is not the mfr's problem, they've done their job in selling you the coop).

Cynically,

Pat

 

[Lesa]

This is nothing to panic about- your idea of redirecting air is a good one. Also, if you are scheduled for below zero temps-close it up. Ventilation is really important, but if your birds aren't crowded and the coop is clean, a night of less ventilation isn't going to kill them.....Your coop should work out fine. As you use it, you'll make some adjustments. Enjoy!

 

[blefky]

Thanks for the input, and Pat, I'm kind of coming to agree with your assessment of the coop. It's cute, but for the cost of it I had expected more than "cute". And being new to chicken keeping, I believed the ad that said the coop was sufficient for 12 - 15 chickens (it's floor space is 6 x 4!). Well, live and learn I guess. I'm going to try and add a couple of small cross vents up near the top sides. I've already insulated. And I've also already purchased a 5 x 4 wooden playhouse that I'm going to try and convert (Lord help me!

) because I bought 14 chicks and they're all going to need a home soon. Thank goodness we're building a really large run.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Can I suggest that you build as large as possible vents along your South wall (hopefully that will turn out to be the "front" wall of the coop, the one w/the windows), rather than crossvents on the sides. In wintertime you do not want a crossbreeze; you want (ideally) ample ventilation *all on one side*, so the coop doesn't get drafty, and it should be the most-often-downwind side. Be bold, cut good size openings and as large/many as the structure allows.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

we had an issue w/ventilation this winter, so as soon as spring came along, hubby built 2 doors of hardware cloth and reinforced w/locks and the coop has been open 24x7 ever since - haven't had an issue since! we also use agricultural lime and DE to help absorb the moisture....hope this helps!