Ventilation Question

[aart]

Shouldn't a roof with a 1' gable and eave overhang keep the rain from getting in the windows? I'll do it if it's in the best interests of my birds because of my weather situation, but if the other kind is fine I'd prefer that I think. That kind held open with a stick has always looked ramshackle to me. Just a personal preference though. No offense to anyone who likes the look of that style.

Probably. Might depend on any wind, slant of rain, or how big your window is(both height of bottom of opening and you don't really want edges and inside of window exposed to rain either).

Is it @blackdog043 that has some pretty spiffy window props?

I just stick a length of 1x3 for props, then cleat them shut in winter,
but my whole place is pretty ramshackle(a purposeful aesthetic in my case )

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can also do sliding windows like you'd see in houses but it does mean they'd need to be closed if the wind tends to blow rain straight into them. I wanted awning style (top hinge) but it was an extra cost. The slider ones work fine for me anyhow.

 

[AmyJane725]

You can also do sliding windows like you'd see in houses but it does mean they'd need to be closed if the wind tends to blow rain straight into them. I wanted awning style (top hinge) but it was an extra cost. The slider ones work fine for me anyhow.

Eh, sliding windows would be expensive, and I'm already dropping more than I should on this project. Gonna have to settle for prop windows.

 

[blackdog043]

Is it @blackdog043 that has some pretty spiffy window props?

I use bimini boat parts for supports. You don't have to worry about the window blowing open and a stick blowing out. I have 4 dowels cut to different lengths, depending on how far open I want the windows. The parts were ordered from warmart.com.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I use bimini boat parts for supports. You don't have to worry about the window blowing open and a stick blowing out. I have 4 dowels cut to different lengths, depending on how far open I want the windows. The parts were ordered from warmart.com.

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I really do love this set up. I'm going to get these parts this weekend and revamp my prop windows.

I did prop windows, and I am very pleased with them. I can open them partly to allow air flow but block rain. May be ramshackle, but it works.

I live in an area with similar temps as OP, but not as much rain (though you wouldn't know it this year!). Prop windows work great, but my coop is a lil sloppy- LOL!

My coop has a lot of ventilation, something like 4 sq ft per bird, but I need to add more down low because all of this rain makes it pretty humid in the coop some mornings.

I love how much thought you're putting into this, OP. You should def make it to your liking. I hope you post progress pics!

 

[AmyJane725]

I use bimini boat parts for supports. You don't have to worry about the window blowing open and a stick blowing out. I have 4 dowels cut to different lengths, depending on how far open I want the windows. The parts were ordered from warmart.com.

View attachment 1694395 View attachment 1694397 View attachment 1694399

Thanks for the tip. Looks like I need 2 of each part per window, correct?
I wonder if there's such a thing as a telescoping dowel...hm...

 

[AmyJane725]

Ok, here is my revised final plan. The contractor is starting on Saturday morning at 8:30 am, but I still can make little tweaks here and there.

Can someone look at the diagram labeled "Front" and tell me where on there you'd put the low vent? How big would you make it? Would it be the kind of vent that's always open? Bearing in mind that the first foot of the structure is going to be full of litter/a walled litter tray. So there's no open air until you're at the level of the nest boxes. Hm, you know, the nest boxes don't reach all the way across the side. Maybe the low vents should be to the right and left of the nest boxes. Take a look at the diagram labeled "Left" and let me know what you think.

My current plan has vents on the front (two 2x2 windows), the right side (1x8 hardware cloth strip at the top and two 2x2.5 windows), the left side (1x8 hardware cloth strip at the top). The only side that isn't vented at all is the back where the keeper door is. This totals out to 34 sqft of ventilation, which is 4.857 sqft per bird. None of the vents are low though, as you can see.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can someone look at the diagram labeled "Front" and tell me where on there you'd put the low vent?

How big would you make it? Would it be the kind of vent that's always open?

Maybe the low vents should be to the right and left of the nest boxes. Take a look at the diagram labeled "Left" and let me know what you think.

If you want a low vent on "Front" I'd probably put it on the right side where the roost is, since that's where poop will be.

Size: I think I said 4x12 earlier but I think standard is actually 4x10? Other than windows none of my vents close, as I'll never close them in this climate.

For reference here's one of my low vents circled in red (I have another on the backside of the coop), this one is under where my roosts sit:



There may not be enough clearance on left and right of nest boxes (seen in "Left") - you have to take into account that these will be squeezed between wall framing plus there's some trim framing that usually goes around. The carpenter would know better than I.

ALSO... is that actually a full size litter tray you're planning? 7'x8'x1' deep? I'd axe that completely because it's going to be so heavy and unwieldy - it's the equivalent of dragging around a king size bed. Even if it's half size it's so large that it's impractical (litter trays are hell anyhow, I never used them even with little house birds). Plus you already have a walk in door that you can push litter out of.

 

[feathermaid]

What is the slide out litter tray? How big is it? What are you filling it with? Is the whole coop floor covered in shavings and you pull out the whole floor? Or just a narrow section?

I think any lower vents should have the ability to be closed. If you don't like the idea of a swing open window you could use a sheet of removable plexiglass, if you have a place to store it when not in use. Granted it won't be fully leak proof when closed but will still keep out drafts if necessary. This is how I installed my windows:

 

[AmyJane725]

What is the slide out litter tray? How big is it? What are you filling it with? Is the whole coop floor covered in shavings and you pull out the whole floor? Or just a narrow section?

I think any lower vents should have the ability to be closed. If you don't like the idea of a swing open window you could use a sheet of removable plexiglass, if you have a place to store it when not in use. Granted it won't be fully leak proof when closed but will still keep out drafts if necessary. This is how I installed my windows:
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The litter tray is what it sounds like. Basically picture a desk drawer full of pine shavings and poop. It will be the entire size of the floor (so, 8x7'). The right side of the coop has that access door where you can slide it out. (And I put the roost on the side of the access door so if I want to clean that I can just slide it out 1 foot and all the roost poop will be easily accessible, and if I want to clean the entire coop I can just pull the whole thing out.

And just to clarify, on the "Right" side, both windows will have hardware cloth. I just drew one of them showing what it would look like when shut.

Ok, well if it needs to be able to close would a Louvre vent do?