venting a coop - yes or no

[freerange freaks]

I installed a fan in one of the walls after the fact becasue of inadequate venting. The fan is box shapped and it cost $30. You can not imagine how much it has helped keep my coop clean. I have a huge window and a screen door but it still wasn't enough to keep the air circulating. This fan is the best thing ever. Knowing what I know now, I will never build another coop without a fan.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I can't imagine how bad a coop with no vents would stink. Our coop is 10 x 16' and has peak vents and SIX windows, and when it's raining out and we have to shut the windows it really does stink in there. With all the humidity this summer, I think that we will install a fan before we insulate the ceiling this fall.

Also, don't forget that your layers will need light. If you don't have windows, you may want to look into what you need for supplemental light.

 

[kodiakchicken]

Quote:
I don't have any natural light coming into the actual night coop area. I will have a lamp with a reflector and I painted the inside a light color to reflect that light. They will be out every day in the enclosed yard area except for the extremely miserable days.

As for predator proofing, I'm lucky in that we don't have snakes or raccoons. We do have bears, foxes and eagles though - and ermine, though I've never seen one near town or heard of anyone having chicken troubles with them. We have had a couple bears and a fox making the rounds lately. The coop will definitely be fox proof, as it's completely enclosed, and the enclosed yard area will have a solid front of chicken wire, so I'm not concerned. The only thing I can do about the bears is put up and electric fence and run it at night. I'm prepared to do that.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Well, I meant pictures of the coop, but any photos of your real puppy would be a bonus.

We used chicken wire to cover the run on our first coop... this time I used gill-net... works like a charm! Don't want those eagles swooping in for a snack!!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Also, don't forget that your layers will need light. If you don't have windows, you may want to look into what you need for supplemental light.

We got a flouresent bulb called "Daylight bulb" it's great! Great to keep on for the chickens in the winter months to keep them laying

I got it at Menards.​

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Both. Sometimes you will really want to use the one, sometimes really the other, and sometimes really both. Honest

Pat

 

[kodiakchicken]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

Well, I meant pictures of the coop, but any photos of your real puppy would be a bonus.

We used chicken wire to cover the run on our first coop... this time I used gill-net... works like a charm! Don't want those eagles swooping in for a snack!!

Ahhh, I see. I told you I don't function well in the morning! I will get newer photos of the coop as soon as I can find my darn camera. See what having a clean house does for you!

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. Guess we need to build some vents in. DH is just going to looooovvveee me!​

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

To vent ours I used a hole saw to cut out some circles on opposite sides of the coup near the ceiling then got some circle vents from homer depot (circle vents made for venting eves around roofs).
http://toolsmet.com/vents/10.html