hens huddling by coop door

Post by **thegawd** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:51 am

ventilation is the key to healthy poultry.

Post by **thegawd** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:14 am

heres an example of how I ventilate one of my small coops. its 2×4×2 and is attached to a 10×4×4 run, I use it for breeding purposes but I do keep birds in them over winter without any issues at all.

and heres the link to that thread...

http://www.poultrytalkontario.net/forum ... f=23&t=634

KimChick · Post by **KimChick** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 9:59 am

Got some interesting advice from another chicken owner who I met at the feed store.
Background info:
In the hen coop, there are pieces of vinyl flooring (for easy cleaning) sitting on the plywood floor. On top of the vinyl, I have laid the old paper bag from the bedding shavings (bag is cut open for one layer of paper). On top of that are all the shavings with which I'm trying a quasi deep bedding method that I can stir around after picking out large droppings. The paper remained damp.
Suggestion: Cut the vinyl pieces so that there is a bit of space between them, allowing some air flow through the plywood floor.
I found this interesting because that is what most of the meat chicken coop is like and there is not the dampness problem on the floor.
On the first mild, non-windy day, that I have available, I'm going to try it. ...which may not be until Spring, but we'll see.

ross · Post by **ross** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 10:20 am

Spring may be to late once winter sets in . Dampness is biggest killer . Luck

KimChick · Post by **KimChick** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 11:27 am

ross wrote:QR_BBPOST Spring may be to late once winter sets in . Dampness is biggest killer . Luck

I understand.
I do clean often, using a hand rake to stir, and replacing bedding. After all, the 2 coops and the yard is like a giant birdcage! Trying to keep dampness at a minimum. However, it is windy and rainy right now, so a full-out cleaning session is not going to happen today.
I'll post more detailed pics of the coop in question. I do believe there is enough ventilation and the flooring is the issue.

ross · Post by **ross** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 12:21 pm

Hand drawn pics of where Vents are & size & what size wire covers them will be helpful . If damp stuffy smell /feeling inside when u sick your hard in that means not enough Ventalation .
Fresh dryer air in bottom stale moist air out top . Luck