Ventilation advice

Who made the coop for you?  Can't you ask him/her why they've left these gaps down the pop hole and access door? 

Doors and pop holes should fit well to the frame of the coop.  But it shouldn't be you having to 'fill' gaps.

Draughts can kill your chooks, but if you think that it is sheltered enough, then leave it.  But I would certainly want to know why the builder has left gaps like that.

I know what you mean about contradictory info in books and on the internet.

Many people write stuff in books from info they have received from others, or even copied from other books or the internet.  Best info we ever got was from the professionals when we were breeding and rearing our own birds.

The top vents and air space will give your chooks the ventilation they need as warm air rises, so that will rise up and flow out the spaces.

An open pop hole will give a draught, but at night you close it, so the draught won't be there at night when the chooks are inside.

Don't worry about a bit of cold in the winter though.  Joyfull had about 14 birds at one time that nested in her trees all year, often hopping down in the morning still with frost or snow on them! 

Your coop builder sounds like a man we have down here.  He makes coops and field shelters, and he is the same.  Let's everyone down, I wonder if they are related? lol  But I would at least try them to ask why the gaps are left.  Tell them that you can't recommend them to anyone else if you are not happy with the coop yourself!

Hope you get some joy out of them! 

As predicted, not answering phone and no reply to a text - (this is the carry-on I've had throughout) - thanks again for advice, will fill the gaps myself...unless he gets back to me today!!!!!!