Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Bridebeliever]

You don't want ventilation close to the ground. You want it at the top. But be absolutely sure to cover the the holes with quarter inch hardware cloth and then cover the cut edges with wood or metal strips that are screwed in. Any larger hardware cloth and you risk predators, and not covering the edges allows easy removal by predators or sharp edges the birds can get injured by. Just cut rectangles or circles near the top of the walls and cover with vent covers if rain would blow in. Without sufficient ventilation you run a high risk of ammonia gas buildup and respiratory infections.

Thank you for that input! All along its been sounding from others that I need ventilation closer to the ground! What I am lacking is cross ventilation because I have a solid wall on one side. And I don't have any options with that either. It's basically like I have half of a shed sliced down the center length wise. (Albeit a big shed because the chickens have 8x17 on their side. My husband did put in framed "windows". We used a galvanized mesh that another member told us isn't strong enough so we are replacing it with hardware cloth. Somehow I need to figure out how to get more air in there though. No cross ventilation I think is a problem?

 

[CarolynF]

And just one more post with a story I think you might give you a smile.

I have 2 chicks that my Ameraucana hen hatched in early August. By the beginning of Oct. she was back to laying eggs and the chicks were fairly independent. But my Barnevelder hen took over as their favorite aunt. She clucked at them as if they were only a week old, and if something startled them they ran to her side. Well 2 days ago the Barnevelder went to freezer heaven. The next morning while their actual momma was in the nest box those two littles stayed with her the whole time. One perched on the edge of the nest box and the other stood right next to it. Throughout the day they stayed very close to her, and at night they did the same. Next morning, the same thing. I was rather surprised, but I guess even at 10 weeks they want to be mothered and sheltered from the hens that aren't as gentle as their auntie.

 

[Bridebeliever]

Here's a close-up of our windows.

 

[CarolynF]

Quote:
It sounds like the windows with hardware cloth will be good. Choosing sturdy welded hardware cloth is important, too. I minimize the areas that have even the quarter inch stuff because it's lighter weight, too. Raccoons are incredibly strong and tenacious and will find a way into places we can hardly imagine. Cross ventilation is especially good in the summer to cool down the coop, but in the winter it's less important. Another option is to put it in the ceiling, like a cupola or attic ventilation. When it's cold outside you don't want to create drafts since that makes it harder for the birds to stay warm on their own.


ETA:
WOW, those windows are great!!! I'd just leave about 3" at the top open (uncovered) for the winter. With that much of the wall devoted to ventilation they'll be fine.

 

[CarolynF]

Here's a close-up of our windows.

WOW! Those look fantastic! I'm guessing you've already found a way to close off the bottom portion for the winter. With that much ventilation I'd say you're doing pretty darn good! They'll be fine. For the winter I'd just leave the top 3" open. And can you please send you hubby over to my place to do some building?

 

[Bridebeliever]

It sounds like the windows with hardware cloth will be good. Choosing sturdy welded hardware cloth is important, too. I minimize the areas that have even the quarter inch stuff because it's lighter weight, too. Raccoons are incredibly strong and tenacious and will find a way into places we can hardly imagine. Cross ventilation is especially good in the summer to cool down the coop, but in the winter it's less important. Another option is to put it in the ceiling, like a cupola or attic ventilation. When it's cold outside you don't want to create drafts since that makes it harder for the birds to stay warm on their own.

Thanks Carolyn, Your the first to give me any sort of comfort where my coop is concerned!

We'll see what we can do about the roof, it's metal and brand new! We did think about a roof ventilation fan but thought the chicken dust would destroy it. Maybe I need to visit a commercial chicken barn?! There's a TON of them just over the border in Canada!

 

[CarolynF]

Quote:
You're fine.... don't overthink it. See what the first year brings before you put in a lot of changes. Our first 3 years we made changes as things progressed, after we saw what was happening. You will too I'm sure. Enjoy!
My computer and BYC were arguing so I edited my earlier post. Sorry if it's confusing!

 

[Rod-T]

Omg, I've been hesitant to post this... Lol... because I think I'm becoming a hatching addict too! I just finished my first hatch a week ago and last night I put some eggs in my incubator.

Even though my little chicks are only a week old, what intrigues me so much about the hatching process is wanting to see what the mixed chickens will look like!

Ya. Sometimes ya get what you don't expect. .
I like hybrids. Mine are young now .hatched from the old hens..I got rid of the oldhens.it will be interesting come spring to see what they do..
My brother has over 100 chickens..most crosses.. his eggs are huge can't even close the carton. .
I suspect it's due to the hybrid vigor..

 

[Rod-T]

I did get the heritage deleware eggs in the mail today.. got them resting before I set them.. if any luck I'll have purebred delewares from good stock..not hatchery. I'll like build second coop for them

 

[nuklee0]

Good luck to you as well! I'm running a second batch of barnevelder and a couple ameracauna crosses. Been at it for nearly two weeks, last candling at 7 days the ameracaunas were developing and the barneys were clear.

Good luck! My current hatch I didn't even really check for fertility but I'm guessing some won't be fertile since I just got a new roo and not all the girls have warmed up to him yet. I do have Silkie eggs in there too! Fingers crossed!