Coop in full sun, heat issues

[Mouthpear]

Hi there, total chicken newb here. So last year I built my coop and run, one of those prefab things. Only issue is I built them in full sun like a dummy. The run is partially covered so it has shade, and stays a good temperature. But my issue is how hot the coop gets. A few days ago it was 79 out, and it was in the 90s in the coop, with the windows open. The chickens weren't in it at the time, and the weather has since cooled down. But I'm wondering if this will be a serious issue.

Ventilation isn't great right now, as the windows are small. But tomorrow I am installing a huge ventilation door that will open up the back of the coop and allow air to flow through the front. Will that be enough, and has anyone else had a similar issue? I'm wondering if I should move it into the shade, though I'd have to disassemble the run to do so...

Any advice would be great, thanks for reading!

You can always try using some reflective insulation. We put some on my friends garage door and oh boy did make a huge difference. Just staple it to the ceiling. Their are several people with video of the doing this to their garage doors.

$32.99 AGHITG Bubble Reflective Insulation Sheet to Window Insulation for Summer,Double Side Aluminum Foil Insulation Roll for Keep Heat,59"x 99" Thermal Insulation Shield,RV Window Insulation.

 

[NatJ]

You can always try using some reflective insulation. We put some on my friends garage door and oh boy did make a huge difference. Just staple it to the ceiling. Their are several people with video of the doing this to their garage doors.

$32.99 AGHITG Bubble Reflective Insulation Sheet to Window Insulation for Summer,Double Side Aluminum Foil Insulation Roll for Keep Heat,59"x 99" Thermal Insulation Shield,RV Window Insulation.

If you do that in a chicken coop, make sure the chickens cannot get at it.

Chickens like to peck new things and shiny things, and there are quite a few cases of chickens eating insulation of various types. Sometimes they peck so badly or eat so much that the insulation needs to be replaced! (Eating a bit of insulation does not seem to be life-threatening for most chickens, but it doesn't do them any good either.)

 

[Mouthpear]

If you do that in a chicken coop, make sure the chickens cannot get at it.

Chickens like to peck new things and shiny things, and there are quite a few cases of chickens eating insulation of various types. Sometimes they peck so badly or eat so much that the insulation needs to be replaced! (Eating a bit of insulation does not seem to be life-threatening for most chickens, but it doesn't do them any good either.)

Yes many time people put insulation and the chickens sometimes tear it apart. However this stuff...

• will be stapled(fixed) to the ceiling only. So unless the roost bars are that close there should be no worries.
• is made to be taken on and off. Very durable (at least the stuff we used on friends garage was, this looks the same). Basically like one of those sun shades you put on your car windshield to protect from heat. They are meant to be folded and unfolded a few hundred times. So I very much doubt a chicken can tear it.
• can be covered or sheeted over. Just like your house ceilings, with sheetrock(drywall) or thin plywood or even paneling, and it will even have more insulative protection.

 

[Hibiscsumile]

I would take a sawall and cut two holes like windows at least 12" square in front and back or side to side depending on which way the sun come in and put some hardware cloth over them and leave them open for the summer.

 

[Mouthpear]

Freeze water in soda bottles or milk jugs, and throw those inside during the heat of the day.

I have done this since I was 8 and tell people as often as I can.

 

[Mouthpear]

I would take a sawall and cut two holes like windows at least 12" square in front and back or side to side depending on which way the sun come in and put some hardware cloth over them and leave them open for the summer.

If you have or can get a hold of, dead microwaves, you can remove the metal screen from inside the window. I have not done this yet but will implement when I build the new coop. I am positive it will work. Should preVENT (Pun intended) Hard gust or drafts from bothering the chickens And still let heat out. Strong to guard against predators. And one of the best parts , it's already Framed.

quick demo: In the video you can see air still getting through but the hard blowing air is blocked.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm in Virginia, so the summers can get really hot. I do think I'll either have to move it or add an umbrella or shade cloth

from North Carolina.

Here are a couple articles for you:

Hot Climate Chicken Housing and Care
Repecka Illustrates Coop Ventilation

 

[NewChickenMamaNM]

Hi there, total chicken newb here. So last year I built my coop and run, one of those prefab things. Only issue is I built them in full sun like a dummy. The run is partially covered so it has shade, and stays a good temperature. But my issue is how hot the coop gets. A few days ago it was 79 out, and it was in the 90s in the coop, with the windows open. The chickens weren't in it at the time, and the weather has since cooled down. But I'm wondering if this will be a serious issue.

Ventilation isn't great right now, as the windows are small. But tomorrow I am installing a huge ventilation door that will open up the back of the coop and allow air to flow through the front. Will that be enough, and has anyone else had a similar issue? I'm wondering if I should move it into the shade, though I'd have to disassemble the run to do so...

Any advice would be great, thanks for reading!

 

[NewChickenMamaNM]

Hi, we live in NM and the sun is definitely an issue here. We ended up modifying our coop like you're talking about several times. My husband made a wood frame and put the 1/4 in hardware cloth on it and made it so we could remove it, but it's secure when up. He did it for the big door, the nesting box door and the window. So, now there's air flow on 3 sides. We effectively made a big bird cage, lol. It worked though to get the temp down. We also put a shade tarp over it.
Now, we just finished building the run which is attached to the coop and put a shade tarp over that as well. It was 107° here yesterday and the chickens were all good .

 

[Mouthpear]

Hi, we live in NM and the sun is definitely an issue here. We ended up modifying our coop like you're talking about several times. My husband made a wood frame and put the 1/4 in hardware cloth on it and made it so we could remove it, but it's secure when up. He did it for the big door, the nesting box door and the window. So, now there's air flow on 3 sides. We effectively made a big bird cage, lol. It worked though to get the temp down. We also put a shade tarp over it.
Now, we just finished building the run which is attached to the coop and put a shade tarp over that as well. It was 107° here yesterday and the chickens were all good .

Pictures?