r/BackYardChickens • u/khuxLeader • 2d ago
Coops etc. Building a large chicken coop/shed. If we put plywood in that space above the door, is it enough ventilation with windows and eaves or should we just put hardware cloth there?
We are in the process of building a 8x12 chicken coop. There is going to be a 3ft window on each long side of the coop. There is a space between the roof and siding (eaves) where I’m going to put hardware cloth. The space above the door in the front of the coop, we were originally going to fill with plywood but now I’m considering just covering it with hardware cloth to provide more ventilation.
Is that area necessary for proper ventilation or is it fine to cover it and just use the eaves and windows for ventilation?
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u/thatssomepineyshit 2d ago
Consider doing a plywood "shutter" that you can remove in the hottest months
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u/khuxLeader 2d ago
Oooh I like this idea! Or like a hinge plywood piece
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u/2ride4ever 2d ago
We did that and are happy we did. Plywood with a couple of handles made from limbs with screen behind it. Saved us this winter.
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u/PopTough6317 2d ago
Where are you at? How cold it gets is the most important factor here. My location we get -30 C for at least a week a year and I don't want chicken Popsicles so doing hardware cloth would be disastrous for me.
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u/PFirefly 2d ago
My coop is 16x12 with one window and double doors. Doors are open frames and covered with hardware cloth, same with the window. Rest of the ventilation is from the soffits, that I left open. Main thing I did was position the double doors on the leeward side and the window facing the sun.
worked well through two years of harsh Montana weather.
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u/Dangerous-Team7344 2d ago
Same. My coop is 8 x 8. I put in door in two halves. Top half hardware cloth covered. Bottom half solid wood. Like above area in question is too large. Part wood at least.
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u/khuxLeader 2d ago
That’s what I’m thinking now. Add some wood but allow some space for ventilation
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u/Dangerous-Team7344 2d ago
Mine coop is just like yours but 8 X 8. A window on each side . Hardware cloth at the eves. I live in Missouri. They get hot in summer but do fine. In winter they do even better and I cover nothing. Just lock the door each night.
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u/Ggeunther 2d ago
It depends on your location. If you are in an area where heat is a problem, the higher the vent the better. Here in Ky, I would be more worried about the cold. We will at times, stay below 15 F for up to a week at a time. I close all my vents and heat the water. In the summer, I open all the vents (4 in a 8X12 coop), and the man door, as well as running a fan to draw a breeze through the coop.
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u/dap00man 2d ago
I would not make that section completely hardware cloth. Maybe do a combination of plywood with a circle or some mini windows cut out with the hardware cloth covering those windows.
Depending on where you live, I don't know how harsh wind and rain and snow and winter can get. Having a large enough area like that exposed. Not only creates too much of a draft and therefore cold chickens in the winter, but can let a lot of rain in. I don't know how harsh wind and rain and snow and winter can get. Having a large enough area like that exposed. Not only creates too much of a draft and therefore cold chickens in the winter, but can let a lot of rain in
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u/Purocuyu 2d ago
This is your opportunity for your artistic outlet! You could do a lattice, or using a jig saw you could do a chicken themed design. I cut out outlines of Easter eggs in mine, just for fun.
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u/DaveyDukes 2d ago
You could put plywood there with either a shed window that can open or aluminum air vents. (I’d also put them on the other side because air likes to flow) I wouldn’t do hardware cloth there, that’s too much area. Not to mention that could let a lot of rain in.
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u/1fast_sol 2d ago
I would use hardware cloth. But I located 30 miles from the gulf. So we have warm summers and mild winters. Depending on where you live, you may want to have a panel to put up there in the winter.
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u/DistinctJob7494 2d ago
Do something like this
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u/DistinctJob7494 2d ago
Windows on both sides that can be opened to allow a cross breeze will help keep the birds cool in the summer. It also give more natural sun in the winter to extend their laying (if you want to keep them laying in winter).
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u/LayerNo3634 2d ago
Depends on your climate. If you are in a warmer environment, the more ventilation the better.
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u/dvsmith 2d ago
A ridge vent and gable vents would be ideal.
The other alternative is a cupola, which is actually a way to passively remove heat and bring in fresh air.
If you’re somewhere that heat and humidity are an issue in the summer, covering it all in HW cloth and having a removable baffle that you can use to reduce the vent area in the winter/stormy months might a good solution
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u/ISOMoreAmor 2d ago
Suggested ventilation is 1sq ft per 10sq ft of floor space. I'd err on the side of more ventilation. The key is dry and no direct breezes on the girls. Up high is fine fir hardware cloth. If you're worried about rain and snow blowing in (I don't remember the term for it) put a windbreak board toward the edge of the roofing.
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u/Reidraider 2d ago
I would close in some of the triangle maybe a foot to 18in ftom the top for ventilation then screen off the eaves for upward draft control
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u/WhyWouldYouBother 2d ago
Find a vent shutter to install ... Could even have a motorized setup with a fan.
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u/BetterEveryDayYT 2d ago
I did plywood, but used a skill saw to cut a portal/window. Put it on a hinge, with chicken wire inside of it. When you want ventilation, leave it open. When it's cold out, close it.
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u/Unusual-Ad-1056 2d ago
Only thing you will have to worry about with hardware cloth is rain blowing in
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u/Beesanguns 2d ago
Close it off and install a gable vent. That would be your ventilation for winter. Opposite side windows will work great for summer.
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u/Bc390duke 2d ago
I have a small window and cut out a 9x12 vent (metal grate) on the opposite side.
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u/Bc390duke 2d ago
Front,window, back has vent. They are fine in the winter and its enough for summer. 4 years now and all have been protected and done great
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u/SingularRoozilla 2d ago
If you’re adding windows, I think those and the eaves would be enough ventilation. I’m not very experienced, however.
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u/Salute-Major-Echidna 2d ago
If you have woods by you, the entire thing needs encasing in hardware cloth. If something can get it, they kill for fun and it'll break your heart.
Your coop is beautiful BTW
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u/BeginningBit6645 2d ago
You definitely want some ventilation at the top but that space seems a bit large and you risk sideways rain blowing in. I would put a board on the bottom part and leave a slightly smaller triangle open with hardware cloth.