Ventilation Question

[emrya]

Wow, that's a well ventilated coop. I was thinking of doing something like this, with the vents under the eaves of the upper roof (but obviously there would be more space than this one has. With this in mind, do you think it's important to have some extra windows that close, or if I have them all up high and permanently open is that fine too? And I read that there should be a vent towards the bottom of the coop to let air in, and I also read that this isn't necessary. Thoughts?

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We have this coop- my husband built it as a surprise and didn't get my input, which is good and bad. I definitely have some frostbite this winter as a result. I will be adding additional ventilation come better weather. Otherwise it is a decent coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is having a vent down lower in the coop necessary? I've gotten kind of mixed reviews on that just looking at other boards.

If it is necessary, how low should it be? Like, as low as possible, or just somewhere below the upper vents? My coop is currently designed to have a foot of space between the nesting boxes and the roost, and the roost will have a strip of venting above it. Should the low vent be in that foot of space below the roost/above the nesting boxes? So, basically vents above and below the roost? Or am I supposed to go as low as possible without having it in the litter?

I'd skip low vents if you don't have a ton of space for it. My intent was to get the air to slowly circulate upwards to push moisture out, but I can't say if it does that or it the other vents are already enough to keep things moving.

Mine are just typical floor vents (4"x12") and they sit just above the bottom piece of wood in the wall frame, so about 4" off floor.

 

[AmyJane725]

I'd skip low vents if you don't have a ton of space for it. My intent was to get the air to slowly circulate upwards to push moisture out, but I can't say if it does that or it the other vents are already enough to keep things moving.

Mine are just typical floor vents (4"x12") and they sit just above the bottom piece of wood in the wall frame, so about 4" off floor.

I mean, my coop isn't built yet, so I have as much room as I want. I'm just trying to get it right.

 

[aart]

I mean, my coop isn't built yet, so I have as much room as I want. I'm just trying to get it right.

Mine are just typical floor vents (4"x12") and they sit just above the bottom piece of wood in the wall frame, so about 4" off floor.

This sounds fine. Pop door will let some air in low too

 

[Farmdog267]

My previous coop had a hinged door over a vent window. Made it possible to keep it open 1/3, 2/3 or all the way and when it was closed, it sealed nicely to keep the girls warmer on cold winter days. This was in the main room of the coop area. It was towards the top so if they had their necks up high enough they could see out of the window. It was secured with chicken wire fence material so no predators could get inside. Overall size of this window was about 6-7 inches wide top to bottom and it was centered on the wall so it was about 24" long end to end.

 

[feathermaid]

Have you read this article?

Chicken Coop Ventilation - Go Out There And Cut More Holes In Your Coop!

It explains a lot (but not everything) I just wish the author was still around to answer questions.

 

[AmyJane725]

Well here's a question maybe you guys can help with. Do windows have to open up? Like in the first picture, vs opening out like in the second picture?

 

[aart]

Well here's a question maybe you guys can help with. Do windows have to open up? Like in the first picture, vs opening out like in the second picture?

Top hinged windows(first pic) are nice because you can leave them open when it's raining.

 

[AmyJane725]

Top hinged windows(first pic) are nice because you can leave them open when it's raining.

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.

 

[AmyJane725]

Eh, never mind. They'll probably last longer because the hinges won't be having the heavy wood pulling down on them like sideways opening windows would. Plus that makes it look neater than having things flapping around in the wind.