Ventilation Question

[govolsguy31]

Hey guys! New to the forum and new to keeping chickens. Lots of reading and research over the last month or so, and have been a quiet lurker here for that time as well.

I have a quick ventilation question. Attached is a couple pictures of the coop we're working on. It's a lean-to shed we're converting. At the top of the shed, the roof sits on top of the walls and, as such, has built in ventilation. The coop is 7' by 8' and we plan to keep 4 birds (at least at first). Both the 8' walls (opposite each other, obviously) have a 3.5" gap where the 2X4's sit that support the roof. Is that, along with the chicken door itself enough ventilation? The door leading into the run is a "door within a door". It has a 12"X12" chicken door built into a 48"X32" man door. During the summer months, we're thinking we'd just open the entire man door into the run (its the one that's closed in the second picture). Or do I need to add more ventilation than that?

We live in central Virginia and get all 4 seasons. Warm-to-hot summers that can be humid and the occasional snow storm in the winter (rare for it to be single digits, though).

Let me know your thoughts! Thanks in advance!

 

[DobieLover]

Hey guys! New to the forum and new to keeping chickens. Lots of reading and research over the last month or so, and have been a quiet lurker here for that time as well.

I have a quick ventilation question. Attached is a couple pictures of the coop we're working on. It's a lean-to shed we're converting. At the top of the shed, the roof sits on top of the walls and, as such, has built in ventilation. The coop is 7' by 8' and we plan to keep 4 birds (at least at first). Both the 8' walls (opposite each other, obviously) have a 3.5" gap where the 2X4's sit that support the roof. Is that, along with the chicken door itself enough ventilation? The door leading into the run is a "door within a door". It has a 12"X12" chicken door built into a 48"X32" man door. During the summer months, we're thinking we'd just open the entire man door into the run (its the one that's closed in the second picture). Or do I need to add more ventilation than that?

We live in central Virginia and get all 4 seasons. Warm-to-hot summers that can be humid and the occasional snow storm in the winter (rare for it to be single digits, though).

Let me know your thoughts! Thanks in advance!

The ventilation between the rafters is great. But you need more
I would add high windows, top hinged. Also add some directly across the roosts for hot summer nights. You can use old wood or vinyl windows in an opening backed with hardware cloth.

 

[govolsguy31]

The ventilation between the rafters is great. But you need more
I would add high windows, top hinged. Also add some directly across the roosts for hot summer nights. You can use old wood or vinyl windows in an opening backed with hardware cloth.
View attachment 2115840

Wow, that's quite the coop! HAHA. Ok, that's what I was thinking too, that it may not be enough. I'll look at adding something along those lines. Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[analyticalblonde]

Ventilation is a critical aspect and should be considered, above all, essential. I live in an area that experiences all 4 seasons but instead of humidity in the summer, we have arid conditions and because we live about 4,500 ft elevation, our winters can be brutal as well. Circulation of air during these extremes is absolutely necessary to either help cool the girls in heat and release the build-up of moist respiration in the coop during the cold months when the girls really don't venture out as much. I agree with @DobieLover in adding some windows that can be opened up or closed. Put hardwire over them to predator-proof.

 

[Peppercorngal]

We added extra ventilation with these vents. We put two on each side as high as possible. We didn't want windows that the bears can get through, so we used vents. During the day I have the coop door open as well. Vents were purchased at Home Depot.