Ventilation question

[ONSTAD1]

I have built a 4x4x4 coop. It has 2x 4"x15" vents. Is that adequate or should I drill some 1" holes too. I don't want to "over ventilate" and make it too drafty as I live in CO where the temps drop below freezing often. (pop door now finished, it will be closed in the evenings)

Thanks, mo

 

[Red Barn Farms]

You didn't say if your flock free ranges all day and only sleeps in the coop at night or if the chickens stay in the coop during the day some to. If they only roost in the coop I'd think it would be ok. If not, personally I would want more ventilation. You can always cut out another square hole in the coop and add hardware cloth. For winter use I'd use a 1/4 plywood to make a 'door' on hinges that will shut blocking out the cold weather.

 

[ONSTAD1]

They will be free to come and go from the coop as they please during the day and will be locked up at night. I would imagine in the winter months they will spend more "day time" in the coop.

mo

 

[chfite]

Chickens need ventilation more than heat. They have their own down comforters built-in.

You could take off 8 inches of the side under the peak eave side of the coop and replace it with hardware cloth. The pop door being remodeled with hardware cloth on a frame would provide a point of air supply to vent from there to the upper vents.

This will give you ventilation without drafts.

Chris