Condensation in coops.

Preferred the original version myself. Corrected version didn't make me laugh!!
 
Although I only have 5 banties and the run is covered, I always prop the lid of the coop open a few inches during the day to keep it aired and dry. ;)
 
PP's article on starting with chickens shows the chronic condensation problem they are having with a Green Frog nest box lid. Said it's the same on the inside of the roof too. It does look terrible in the photograph. They must close their pop-holes at night because they only have a 3' electric fence around the run. The article also said the lid had a big gap around it because it didn't fit properly due to distortion it appeared. They had to turn the lid upside down. No mention of problems with their Flyte so Fancy wooden coop.
 
Hi Marigold, The banties are not laying at the moment having all just finished moulting but I vary the height I prop the coop open. When they are laying about 4-5". The nest box is fitted to the side of the coop. Not had any problems to date.
 
PP article also recommends using Biodry in the nestboxes - would this be basically the same water-absorbing stuff that you were recommending, Chris, I wonder? I'm not sure how this is much of an advance on a daily wipe-over if needed, however.
 
Sorry, can someone tell me which PP edition this article is in. Thanks
 
The one that came by post today ie January 2012. It also said they've had leakage problems in the FlytesoFancy nestboxes, as well as some of thecondensation problems you've noticed in your Frog, Sue.

Has anybody on here got an Omlet house? They're supposed to avoid condensation problems because they're double-walled and thus insulated. I certainly didn't have any problems with my eglu, (though again I did leave the pophole open most of the time.) However, they're very expensive and in my opinion have other design faults., (as Mollteaser found out the very hard way.)

We all continue our search for the perfect henhouse!
 
Hi Marigold. Biodry is a sanitising powder used for keeping coops healthy. It has a side effect of absorbing water, but it won't absorb much as a thin coating. When fully laden with water it would then need to be scraped off and replaced. So it can be considered a totally different product and not suitable for serious dehumidifying. Trouble with the crystal packs I was talking about they are in cloth sacks so would need to be attached near the ceiling or hung in the centre to dry out the circulating air. If they get too wet they get covered in milldew so would have to be checked daily.

To be honest I think a daily check and wipe over with a sponge then dry towelling as necessary would be a better solution, as I think the amount of condensation I saw would mean changing a 1 Kg Silicone pack every 2 - 7 days in Winter, subject to humidity levels and outside temperatures. They are not cheap.
 
Yes, I agree, and as I said with plenty of ventiliation I'm not too worried about the level of condensation in my coop, especially on the roof as up there I can't see how it will affect the birds at all. Have had no leakage problems in the nestbox, or anywhere else, so all in all, so far, I'm quite happy with it. I suppose you just have to balance the undoubted advantages of being very easy to clean and keep clear of redmite against the winter problems which seem to affect most coops to some extent. I do live down in Hampshire, so the climate is mild - usually - I don't know how much difference it would make if i was situated much further . Anyone from Scotland out there?
 
The whether is stil very mild around London so I had't expirience any condansation problem in mine self made cop.I do have 4 small wentilation holes on 1 side only.I 'm using now hemp core bedding(not sure if makes any difrence but keeps everything nice and dry under them)I do susspect it can be a problem when temperatures drops as large part of the roof is glazed(twin glued glass).This is first winter so I see hoh my cop will cope :D
 
Marigold said:
Now you've edited it, it's not so funny!
Click to expand...

Was hoping no-one had noticed!!!! I just wish that the letter u and the letter i were not next to each other - especially when typing the word shut - when closing the girls up and night from now on I will forever have a smile on my face :D :D
 
i did double check , made me laugh that must be the best spelling mistake yet :lol: :lol:
 
Have been reading this post with interest but wanted to wait until we had a cold day before commenting on my situation. This morning we had ground frost and I checked my green frog for condensation as I have for the past few days since the thread started and I have to say I'm not seeing any condensation in my coop. I have a full compliment of chickens in there with the pophole closed, I leave all vents open. The only reasons I can suggest as to why my experiences are different would be

My chickens are always under shelter either in the covered run or under the tree so never get wet
I poo pick out of the coop everyday which will reduce excess moisture
I use aubiose which is very absorbant and will soak up most of the moisture from overnight droppings
 
Good point Dinosaw. In the coops with condensation we use wood shavings (Snowflake Supreme -beware of imitations) but in the bigger coops we use Aubiose, simply to avoid the stuff blowing all over the place when the doors are opened. The condensation is noticeably worse in the coops with shavings, but that may be co-incidental. We were going to stop using the stuff and go all shavings (economy), but we have noticed that the shavings get very wet with poo, Aubiose less so. I need to try Aubiose in one of the small 'condensation' coops to see if it improves things.
 
I have to say, I have noticed a difference too, used regular shavings on one of the big sheds as an emergency, and yes it was damp in the morning just a few days later. Aubiose seems to absorb moisture and stay dry, does that mean more absorbed moisture by the bedding less condensation? Maybe cheap wood-shavings is actually a false economy in that case? :-)05
 
I agree with you at this time of year Foxy. Shavings would be fine in Summer though. It's just I must remember to change them back to Aubiose in Winter.

Problem is that condensation is on the upper surfaces. Although the bedding may improve it somewhat the inherent problem is still there.
 
considering i have a lot of horsey areas around me as well as suppliers of feed , bedding etc i cant get aubiose around my parts :-)05 its very annoying
 
I'm a huge fan of aubiose, so much so I started using it in my run about 3 months ago, sprinkle stalosan on it every two weeks and rake through and the run is now virtually smell free. Karminski you can get it delivered by titmuss but i would guess that would make it very uneconomical for you with their £7 delivery charge pushing the price up to £16.38 per 20kg bale.
 
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