Ventilation

[NanaKimberlyB]

My hubby just built me an 8X12 lean to style shed for my coop and storage. We added a door and two windows and an insulated wood floor. Working on insulating and predator proofing but what type of ventilation option would be good? We are in Minnesota with cold Winters and hot humid Summers. I do plan to DLM but I’m concerned we have sealed it up too well. I know we need vents just don’t know the best options. I only have a flock of 8 for the coop space of 8 x 8. Only plan on having radiant heat panels by the roosts but I am certainly open to doing more heat if that would be of benefit.

 

[DobieLover]

My hubby just built me an 8X12 lean to style shed for my coop and storage. We added a door and two windows and an insulated wood floor. Working on insulating and predator proofing but what type of ventilation option would be good? We are in Minnesota with cold Winters and hot humid Summers. I do plan to DLM but I’m concerned we have sealed it up too well. I know we need vents just don’t know the best options. I only have a flock of 8 for the coop space of 8 x 8. Only plan on having radiant heat panels by the roosts but I am certainly open to doing more heat if that would be of benefit.

For that style coop it would be simple enough to just leave the gaps between the rafters on both load-bearing walls open and just cover them with hardware cloth to secure them. I also wouldn't bother with the insulation or the radiant heat panels. You just don't need to have heat in the coop in your climate. If it gets bitterly cold, say to the tune of -20F, then you might want to use heat panels just to take the edge off. But I wouldn't be in the habit of using them routinely.

 

[NanaKimberlyB]

For that style coop it would be simple enough to just leave the gaps between the rafters on both load-bearing walls open and just cover them with hardware cloth to secure them. I also wouldn't bother with the insulation or the radiant heat panels. You just don't need to have heat in the coop in your climate. If it gets bitterly cold, say to the tune of -20F, then you might want to use heat panels just to take the edge off. But I wouldn't be in the habit of using them routinely.

Our Winters get 20 below many many days where I live in the Winter so that’s a good idea to sporadically use them on those days. Good point with the gaps!!! I didn’t think of that

 

[DobieLover]

Our Winters get 20 below many many days where I live in the Winter so that’s a good idea to sporadically use them on those days. Good point with the gaps!!! I didn’t think of that

Between the rafters is one of the best places to put ventilation.
Incidentally, this photo was snapped off my camera in morning after a night that had a low of -17F. Everything you see open in there stays open year-round. I don't have insulation and the birds were just fine.

 

[NanaKimberlyB]

Love that setup