Ventilation Question

[MIChickandGuinea]

I am working on a large, new coop, and I am at the point of working with ventilation. I am building in 4 very large sliding windows (2' x 2' each, one on each aside of the coop), plus chicken door and large person door. But those will likely need to be partially or completely closed during the cold winter months. Should I leave a gap under the eaves that is NEVER closed? Like where the rafters meet the side walls? That way, it will be sheltered by the overhang and will not get rain or snow inside, and will not be blowing cold wind directly on the chickens, but will allow their respiration moisture to escape up and out at all times... Is that TOO much ventilation/draft potential for a cold, Michigan winter?

 

[TalkALittle]

Absolutely leave your eaves open. It will not be too much. Plus, it's far easier to block off ventilation openings that are already there than try and add some in later once the coop is completed.

 

[aart]

Pics of coop would help immensely.

Sliding windows aren't always great in summer as they have to be closed during rain,
unless you have huge roof overhangs that will protect from water infiltration.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you have not already purchased your windows, you might re-think the sliders. Or if they are standard panes that you are going to adapt in your framing/siding to be sliders, could you instead hinge them at the top? This would shed rain and snow, and allow you to leave them open to a varying degree all year long. Agreed, soffit vents are awesome. The easiest way to make them is by using 1/2 or 1/4" hdw cloth. Attach it to the underside of the rafters, with a 1 - 2" fold down the wall studs, and up the ends of the rafters before applying your siding and fascia board. You might want to cut in some gable end vents also. Best if these are louvered to shed rain/snow.

I'm in Maine. My 10 x 12 coop has 16' of soffit vents, 2 fairly large gable vents, 3 windows, and a floor level louvered vent.

 

[blackdog043]

Another thing to consider about your windows. You will need to cover the window opening with hardware cloth to keep predators out. My windows are hinged at the top and I open them from the outside, since my hwc is attached on the inside.