Medium OverEZ coop. How many chickens, really?

[Alaskan]

I would suggest you connect that coop to a covered run, and put up wind blocks for winter.

True inside floor dimensions would give us a better idea of how many chickens would be happy.

But, a roofed run with good wind blocks, is almost as good as a coop. Truly. Also, with a roofed run with wind blocks, you could then stick a huge vent on the side of the coop that is now protected by the run roof. Then you have ventilation in the coop protected from rain and snow.

 

[Great_Strides]

I would suggest you connect that coop to a covered run, and put up wind blocks for winter.

True inside floor dimensions would give us a better idea of how many chickens would be happy.

But, a roofed run with good wind blocks, is almost as good as a coop. Truly. Also, with a roofed run with wind blocks, you could then stick a huge vent on the side of the coop that is now protected by the run roof. Then you have ventilation in the coop protected from rain and snow.

We are putting the run next to the garage and doing an overhang roof over the whole run. I’m not sure we were planning to put the coop inside the run, though. We’d lose square footage of run space. So, it was going to sit just outside the run. We’ll put up wind block as well.
There’s a 4-5” overhang on the window side of the coop. I was planning to drill 3” holes all along that area and cover with hardware cloth. Would that be enough?

 

[Alaskan]

We are putting the run next to the garage and doing an overhang roof over the whole run. I’m not sure we were planning to put the coop inside the run, though. We’d lose square footage of run space. So, it was going to sit just outside the run. We’ll put up wind block as well.
There’s a 4-5” overhang on the window side of the coop. I was planning to drill 3” holes all along that area and cover with hardware cloth. Would that be enough?

I am not quite picturing what you are describing.

But if the coop is up against the run, and the run is roofed, the run roof could be slightly above the coop with a few inch of overlap.

This gives you one fully protected coop wall.

Little 3 inch holes are, well, little.

The rule of thumb is 1 square foot of ventilation per chicken.

 

[Boise-girls]

We are putting the run next to the garage and doing an overhang roof over the whole run. I’m not sure we were planning to put the coop inside the run, though. We’d lose square footage of run space. So, it was going to sit just outside the run. We’ll put up wind block as well.
There’s a 4-5” overhang on the window side of the coop. I was planning to drill 3” holes all along that area and cover with hardware cloth. Would that be enough?

A 3" circle is about 7 square inches. You'd need 20 to equal one square foot. Just as a reference. (Having said that, I may be resorting to lots of circles if my handy sibling doesn't come through in time. I can handle a hole saw, but am hopeless with the other types!)

 

[Great_Strides]

A 3" circle is about 7 square inches. You'd need 20 to equal one square foot. Just as a reference. (Having said that, I may be resorting to lots of circles if my handy sibling doesn't come through in time. I can handle a hole saw, but am hopeless with the other types!)

Okay. I’m thinking I’m just going to need two coops. If I put 5 girls in there, I’d have to pull off almost an entire wall for ventilation. And with our winters, they’d be frozen chickens.

Maybe I’ll cut rectangles above the roost area and cover with hardware cloth.

 

[3KillerBs]

There’s a 4-5” overhang on the window side of the coop. I was planning to drill 3” holes all along that area and cover with hardware cloth. Would that be enough?

That adds square inches when you need square feet.

Better to take several inches of the siding off along the whole length.

 

[Great_Strides]

That adds square inches when you need square feet.

Better to take several inches of the siding off along the whole length.

okay! You guys have me on a mission! I’m going to do more planning and research! Maybe I need to look into fans. Maybe I just need to get more coops. And more runs. And more chickens!
I appreciate you guys sending me in the right direction. I just want my girls to be healthy and happy

 

[Alaskan]

Okay. I’m thinking I’m just going to need two coops. If I put 5 girls in there, I’d have to pull off almost an entire wall for ventilation. And with our winters, they’d be frozen chickens.

Maybe I’ll cut rectangles above the roost area and cover with hardware cloth.

If you take off half a wall... the wall protected by the run roof... then the chickens should stay safe and dry in the coop.

Just how cold does it get where you are?

I would think wind breaks would be the most important thing in Wyoming.

A run with 3 solid sides and a roof should give great shelter and have lots of ventilation from the one open side.

 

[Great_Strides]

If you take off half a wall... the wall protected by the run roof... then the chickens should stay safe and dry in the coop.

Just how cold does it get where you are?

I would think wind breaks would be the most important thing in Wyoming.

A run with 3 solid sides and a roof should give great shelter and have lots of ventilation from the one open side.

We consistently get negative degree weather. I’m looking into ventilation fans. Any experience with those?

 

[Great_Strides]

If you take off half a wall... the wall protected by the run roof... then the chickens should stay safe and dry in the coop.

Just how cold does it get where you are?

I would think wind breaks would be the most important thing in Wyoming.

A run with 3 solid sides and a roof should give great shelter and have lots of ventilation from the one open side.

Also, it would only have one solid side, roof, and a partial windbreak on the west facing side of the run. Should be pretty protected. I’m wondering if a few fans on the run facing wall of the coop would solve my problems