What is the Definition of a Draft in a coop.

[tigger19687]

So I wanted this thread so that it was easier for people to search for. There are many on here that are new that are building their coops
Plus, I am not sure what some mean by a Draft in the coop?
When you say Draft I think about my house and what needs to be plugged... Around outlets, Windows, Doors etc. But this, I think, is not the same thing.
What areas of the US are you talking about ?


What area, size or shape do you think about when you say "No Drafts"?

What drafts are Good ? Not talking about Ventilation but a draft that is a benefit to the coops air flow?

Anything else you can add would be great !

 

[aart]

IMO a 'draft' ...the kind we want to avoid in a coop,
is air movement strong enough to ruffle the feathers(literally) of a bird on the roost.
Disturbance of feathers means they can't hold onto their body heat.

Here's pretty good thread discussing such:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

 

[Aji Dulce]

It is my understanding that you want air exchange but not wind that blows through at perches level. (my 10 babies are still in the brooder, or as my predictive text calls “the Bruder”)
So I have my coop set up where the front door and back door have an optional drop-down screen window, and near the eaves on top is 4 inches screened. It’s important that the coop be kept dry even with employing a deep litter method. You will not want steam to build up in there in hot or cold weather, which could harbor mold and promote frostbite.

 

[Howard E]

A good test for this is to hang some ribbons......or something like long strips of plastic survey tape......from the rafters near and above the roost bars. Make a grid pattern of them.

When its windy out, do they dance around or mostly hang limp? Dancing around is drafty. Limp is not.

 

[Aji Dulce]

A good test for this is to hang some ribbons......or something like long strips of plastic survey tape......from the rafters near and above the roost bars. Make a grid pattern of them.

When its windy out, do they dance around or mostly hang limp? Dancing around is drafty. Limp is not.

Great idea. I will have to do the ribbon test in my coop.

 

[tigger19687]

In my house I use an incense stick to see where drafts are. It will show you where it is blowing IN and Sucking Out In my coop I used a burning stick that was smoking (hens were in the front yard away from coop).

 

[Bobby Basham]

In my house I use an incense stick to see where drafts are. It will show you where it is blowing IN and Sucking Out In my coop I used a burning stick that was smoking (hens were in the front yard away from coop).

I wouldn't want a drafty, coop but, chickens are birds. Some owners have chickens sleeping in trees at night just like wild birds. Then again, the modern day chicken is a genetically modified critter, and may not be as tough as the original Jungle Fowl.

 

[jthornton]

A lot of people think moist air is more dense than dry air and it's just the opposite. Humid air rises on it's own due to it being less dense than dry air. The humid air just needs a way to get out of the coop.

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/260/

JT

 

[aart]

the modern day chicken is a genetically modified critter,

False.

 

[Bobby Basham]

False.

Well, they've been modified in some way or we wouldn't have so many recognized breeds out there.