Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

I have a couple of questions about winter ventilation. I you were building a small coop (say 8x4), do you have to put a gap all the way around the top of it? Or could you just have a bigger ventilation gap just on one side, at the front top and bottom , so the chickens could be warmer at the back of the coop? I do want them to be able to warm the coop somewhat using body heat, but of course still have lots of fresh air.
Is it best to have the roosts parallel with the 4'sides rather than 8'- so the coop would be longer rather than wider, with the chickens roosting at the back at night? Or would it be better to have the roosts parallel with the long 8'side, with a wider, shorter coop, ventilation gaps at the front? Sorry I wish I could explain better. Is the one square foot ventilation for each chicken a good rule of thumb for our climate?
Does a sloping roof, or not, matter from a ventilation standpoint? Is it best to have a sloped roof, with the slope rising to the front , roosts at the back, with air intake at the bottom and exit on the same side at the top, or is a flat roof OK ? If you had a flat roof should you put the gap all the way around?
I'm still not quite sure how to get good ventilation without a draft, but still have a warm coop.
Thanks!

I have multiple smaller coops. Some have sloping rooves. I have a window at the front which can be opened. There is also a bottom vent and a top vent for airflow. Haven't had any moisture issues yet.

If you have a vent in the ceiling, and a vent near the floor, you have ventilation without a draft. you might want a side window for summer heat and airflow.

heres a drawing I just did of my small coop I hope it helps out...

I should add that the roof is on hinges slopping to the rear and the over hang prevents water from entering the gap around the edge.

OK so it's not critical to have a sloping roof?

well it helps keep water from pooling on top and soaking the roof, even the slightest sloop will help.

Good point Gawd........... sloped roof it is!

Open front / open air coops work well :smile: