[looe-looe-belle]

hi everyone i just wondered if the vents in the coop should always be open or not? Just lately now the nights are colder i keep them closed what do you all think ?

[rachelr]

i started closing mine on the colder nights.

[looe-looe-belle]

so am i to presume that you only keep the vents open in the warmer weather like spring and summer ?

[bantam novice]

I would say that it is a balance between ventilation and temperature.  You don't want your chooks to freeze or not have enough fresh air.   It depends on where the vents are, what other air circulation there is and how well the coop is insulated.  You don't want a cold draft around the perches at night.  On the other hand you do want fresh air getting in.

Someone more experienced may have more to add

 

[Aidy]

Pretty much as Bantam says above, the worst thing is no ventilation and consendation appears or too much in the wrong place and it gets drafty.
I have no extra ventilation slots, I made my own coop, its ventilation comes from the gaps between the onduline roof, but the coop is higher in height than most commercial ones so they keep nice and snug.
The girls do have a nice coat they wear and so long as they are sheltered from the wind should be pretty warm, I know we treat like pets but they are still wild and hardy, they also cuddle up together in the coop which makes a bit of a mockery of the so called 12 inch or so per hen guide lines, mine squeeze themslelves into one corner together