Layering Bedding for Compost: Unpleasant for Chickens?

[RedStarMadame]

Ventilation is needed both day and night - it'd be like shutting off air flow to your bedroom at night because you only sleep in there, but I bet it would get stifling in there if you were to do that.

The recommended 1 sq ft of ventilation per bird 24/7 is a minimum and for moderate climates. If it's 91F in April it sounds like you're in a hotter climate where 2-3 sq ft of open ventilation is the recommendation.

Just to clarify, I don't close the doors. They have the inside sliding door open and the side door you see in the pic open, in addition to the vent. Are you suggesting we install fans? (I removed the layered bedding and replaced with fresh)

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just to clarify, I don't close the doors. They have the inside sliding door open and the side door you see in the pic open, in addition to the vent. Are you suggesting we install fans? (I removed the layered bedding and replaced with fresh)

I'd suggest modifying the entire thing to function as a coop, not a mini coop above a mini run. It'll give you a bigger coop overall and more wall space to add needed ventilation. Depending on your temperature range you can leave several inches open around the top of the "new coop" or even leave an entire wall as wire mesh.

To turn it from 2 small "boxes" (tiny coop above tiny run) into 1 bigger "box" you'll want to remove as much of the inside coop wall as possible, plus the floor. Take out the old roosts too.

Nests might be able to stay as is, or may need to be relocated elsewhere or replaced - depends on the structure of the coop and how things inside stack up once done.

Run a new roost(s) lengthwise or widthwise across the newly open space, depending on how much roost is needed. Ideally you’d like 12” per bird but 10” can suffice in many cases.

Board up some of the external wire walls so that the roost area is protected from winds and rain. Do NOT fully cover up all the wire, you need ventilation and natural light, so at the very least a few inches under the roofline should remain open. If your climate allows for it, you can leave entire walls open with just the mesh, or make it convertible for the season by covering up open walls for winter, and then uncovering for summer.

Example of a modified prefab: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/