The health and productivity of poultry is largely dependent on the living conditions. In a clean and warm chicken coop, the egg production of chickens is consistently high, and the bird gains weight well. At high densities, it is especially important to provide chickens with clean air. According to the schemes proposed by us, ventilation in the chicken coop is easy to assemble with your own hands.
Why in the chicken coop ventilation
In winter, the entire number of birds is constantly kept indoors in the chicken coop. When the bird breathes, the chicken house air is filled with carbon dioxide and water vapor, and when decomposed, chicken droppings emit ammonia. The vapors of which are poisonous to the bird. Inhaling them constantly, chickens lose their appetite, rush poorly and get sick. Airing through an open door or window quickly cools the room, threatening frostbite of the legs and combs. Therefore, in the winter in a chicken coop without ventilation, birds feel very bad. About the importance of ventilation in the chicken coop, there are many videos made by poultry farmers with their own hands. Increased humidity causes decay of walls, litter and scattered feed. Favorable conditions are created for the development of pathogens that cause a large waste of the adult herd, and especially chickens.
The simplest ventilation in the chicken coop solves the problem of removing toxic fumes and providing clean air.
Coop ventilation in winter is as important as in summer. At air temperatures above +28 degrees, chickens do not carry well and refuse to feed, and intensive air exchange in the room reduces the temperature.
Coop ventilation requirements
A video tells about how optimal ventilation is created in a chicken coop with his own hands.
The video presents a unique technique for keeping birds in greenhouses made with their own hands, with absolutely no ventilation.
Ventilation in the home chicken house is equipped with the following rules:
- The volume of supply air depends on the number of chickens contained in the chicken coop. On average per 1 square. square meters contain 4 to 5 birds;
- To prevent the bird from freezing, in the winter the ventilation of the chicken coop needs to be properly regulated. Inflow is minimized. Hens are very sensitive to drafts, therefore, the exhaust air must be regulated. In order to reduce heat loss, a grate with small holes is installed on the supply pipe in winter; in especially severe frosts, the influx is completely blocked.
Types of ventilation
Coop ventilation can be done:
- mechanical;
- natural.
Natural chicken coop ventilation
The natural ventilation device in the chicken coop is optimal for a small room with a small population. This is a cheap and simple design that can be done with your own hands.
The ventilation scheme of the chicken coop №1. How to make ventilation in the chicken coop on natural draft? It is provided with the help of a window located above the bird's door or in the roof. The second option simultaneously improves illumination, this type of chicken coop ventilation is shown in the photo.
But in winter it is not suitable for the reasons described above. In addition, the owner must independently open and close the doors and windows, which is not always convenient.
Therefore, many resort to a device in the chicken coop of supply and exhaust ventilation. She copes with her tasks all year round.
The ventilation scheme of the chicken coop №2. If you plan to contain about 100 birds, that is, the area of the house is approximately 20 square meters. meters, you need to take 2 pieces of pipe 200 mm with a diameter of 2 meters in length. One for air flow, the other for removal.
Pipes are installed in opposite corners of the room so that the air flow covers as large an area as possible.
We install a chimney near the perches of birds, the lower end is 0.2 m from the ceiling. The upper end should extend 1.5 m above the roof.
We place the supply pipe in the corner farthest from the perches (in winter, cold air will not blow on the birds). The lower end does not reach the floor by 0.2 m, and the upper extends beyond the roof level by 0.3 meters. Put umbrellas on the upper ends of the pipes or bend them so that rain or snow does not get. Instead of ready-made pipes, for saving, you can make wooden boxes. But their outer parts will have to be putty and painted so that there are no cracks. More ventilation scheme in the chicken house in the photo.
If a plastic or metal pipe is chosen for ventilation, it must be insulated, since in winter the internal walls will be covered with condensate. Gradually freezing moisture over time completely blocks the lumen of the pipe and the room of the chicken house is left without ventilation.
In order to regulate the intensity of ventilation in the chicken coop in winter and summer, dampers are installed on the pipes as blinds or gates.
The ventilation scheme of the chicken coop №3. This original chicken coop ventilation device is based on the use of wind power. It is suitable for rooms no more than 8 square meters. meters area. A vertical channel of 20x20 cm square section is being constructed from boards. Inside the channel along the entire length is divided into two parts. The upper outlet of the channel is closed, its walls are coated with sealant on the outside and painted. Holes are drilled in the sides.
In one longitudinal compartment from the leeward side, air enters the room, and in the second it is drawn out.
Mechanical ventilation of the chicken coop
Forced ventilation in the home coop is rare. The use of mechanical traction is justified with a very large area and an impressive number of birds. But sometimes natural ventilation in the chicken coop is not enough and you have to resort to fans.
An axial fan is installed in the chicken coop in the ventilation exhaust pipe with its own hands. It is turned on manually or with a Climate sensor that controls the temperature and humidity in the room.
You can upgrade the ventilation in your home chicken coop by integrating a household exhaust fan into the window or directly into the wall.
