Ventilation Questions

[crazychickenlady81]

Hi BYC!

I'm in the process of building a new coop for my ladies and I have some questions about how to proceed on a few different things.

This is the coop we are building:
http://myoutdoorplans.com/animals/large-chicken-coop-plans/

We are more than half way done... planning on completing the nest boxes tomorrow and finishing putting up the siding, windows and door. However, we've noticed that the plans leave about a half a foot gap between where the walls hit the roof. This wasn't really noticeable in the plans, because the roof over hangs the walls quite a bit, but I can't imagine leaving this open! The plans don't mention this gap at all! Anything would be able to enter the coop as long as they are willing to climb the walls.

My dad is a carpenter, who is helping me build the coop, and we've gone over the plans a million times, and it's definitely the way it was designed to be. At this point, the framing and roof is already built so changing it is not an option.

What I'm wondering is, should I seal this gap with hardware cloth? This would provide PLENTY of ventilation, but i'm nervous that it would be too much for winter in PA. This past year we had more than a few days at or below 0F. We aren't insulating the coop, because everything I've read says not to. We have two windows in the coop with screens, but I'm not sure if that will be enough for ventilation.

The coop is 8x10 feet. The walls are 8 feet high, with a gable roof that makes it even taller in the center. (Didn't realize it was going to be quite this high before we started building.. oops!) We have 5 hens that are 1 year old, and 8 baby chicks that just joined us this week. My next concern is that an 8x10 coop is maybe a little too big for 13 chickens to keep warm in the winter, so I'm nervous that they won't be able to heat the coop on their own, especially if I screen the gap.

Any suggestions on what I can do?

Next question....

Where the heck can I find regular linoleum flooring these days?? Seems like it's been replaced by vinyl flooring. I've read that vinyl flooring is toxic to birds if they eat it, and also toxic to the humans who eat their eggs. Why is this so hard to find??

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Nksg75]

A definite yes to hardware cloth to cover the opening.
As far as ventilation, since it's so high up, and sounds like the overhang will not allow too much of a draft, I would say leave it open with the hardware cloth.
If need be you could cover it up if you have a major snow storm, but by looking at it, it sounds like it will not allow direct gusts of wind.
As far as amount of chickens, I think you will be fine. You may get the chicken math bug, who knows.
Please take into account that I live in Texas, and it certainly doesn't get nearly as cold as you do up north!

 

[Nats Chickens]

I say hard ware cloth or wire mesh.

 

[blackdog043]

Yes, put HC over the gap for ventilation. It will be up high enough, so any air flow will not blow directly on the chickens. Your right about no need to insulate the coop. Also you said screens for the windows. All windows on a coop should have HC covering them.

You coop height is good for ventilation. If I were you, I would also add gable vents on each end. Ventilation is just as or more important in the winter, so the don't get frost bite. Remember chickens wear down coats all year long. They will fluff up and roost closer to each other during winter, to keep themselves warm at night. 8 x 10 is not to big.

Vinyl flooring is fine to use, the chickens won't be eating it. I used blackjack 57 to seal my floor and part way up my walls. It's a rubber roof coating. Here's a thread link.

 

[aart]

How about posting a pic of gap, please?
If on wall, I'd cover with siding...but leave eaves open(covered with HC instead of soffit mat'l-see pic below). Louvered gable vent would be good too. There are easy ways to dampen winter blowing if necessary.

 

[crazychickenlady81]

How about posting a pic of gap, please?
If on wall, I'd cover with siding...but leave eaves open(covered with HC instead of soffit mat'l-see pic below). Louvered gable vent would be good too. There are easy ways to dampen winter blowing if necessary.

This looks very similar to the gap i have. I really like what you've done here, and looks easier than what i was thinking of doing. I will take some pictures tomorrow to share!

 

[aart]

This looks very similar to the gap i have. I really like what you've done here, and looks easier than what i was thinking of doing. I will take some pictures tomorrow to share!

There are more pics here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

Key is bending the HC before installing. I found it very helpful to make a short length(12" or so) to test my measurements and fit before doing the 16' long piece.

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

I used 1/2" HC on my gap area (mine goes all the way around the coop) since it is designed as the out flow portion of my ventilation system. I also installed this HC on both sides because we do have coons that come around in the late hours (9:30 to 2:30 is when the game camera has caught them). I did a full inside HC cover of the windows too.
As aart mentions it is lots easier to make any bends before you do the install.