Optimize chicken coop ventilation - fresh air without draughts
Optimized poultry house ventilation is crucial for animal health, performance and a hygienic environment. In many Swiss chicken coops, however, the air is either too humid and contains too much ammonia or there are unpleasant draughts. Both weaken the animals' immune system and increase the risk of disease. A well thought-out ventilation concept ensures continuous air exchange, removes moisture and harmful gases and brings fresh air into the barn - without cold air directly reaching the animals. Modern solutions combine structural measures with sensor-controlled technology so that even smaller hobby farms and family businesses can achieve a climate-stable, animal-friendly barn climate.
TL;DR - The most important facts about barn ventilation at a glance
- Well-planned chicken house ventilation reduces humidity, ammonia and pathogens without creating draughts on perches or lying areas.
- As a guideline: relative humidity in the barn should be around 50-70 %, temperature for laying hens around 16-22 °C, ammonia below 10 ppm if possible.
- Draughts are mainly caused by poorly managed air flows (open doors, incorrectly positioned windows, direct openings at the animals' waist height).
- Continuous, controlled air exchange via ventilation slots at the top of the barn, supplemented by exhaust and supply air ducting, is ideal.
- Sensor-based systems with double fans and control according to temperature and humidity help to ensure a constant climate in the barn.
- Self-sufficient solutions with solar panels and battery operation are particularly suitable for remote stables without a fixed mains connection.
Why is barn ventilation so important for chickens?
Chickens continuously produce moisture, heat and harmful gases. Water vapor enters the barn air via droppings, breathing air and litter, causing the relative humidity to rise. At the same time, ammonia is produced from the decomposition process of the excrement. If this humid, gas-enriched air remains in the barn, it quickly leads to respiratory problems, irritated mucous membranes and increased susceptibility to parasites such as mites. Experts therefore recommend keeping the humidity in the henhouse at around 50-70% and aiming for ammonia concentrations well below 20 ppm, ideally below 10 ppm (reference values).
Chickens are also sensitive to heat stress. In combination with high humidity, the perceived temperature rises sharply, which reduces feed intake and causes a drop in performance. In practice, it has been shown that laying hens feel most comfortable at temperatures of around 18-22 °C, provided the air speed is not too high and there are no draughts (guide values). Well-designed poultry house ventilation thus ensures a climate-stable environment and supports the requirements of the Swiss Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV) with regard to animal welfare and house climate.
Key objectives of good barn ventilation
- Continuous removal of moisture and water vapor
- Reduction of ammonia, CO₂ and other harmful gases
- Avoidance of heat stress and heat build-up in summer
- No cold air entering directly onto the animals (no draughts in sitting and lying areas)
- Support of dry, loose bedding for clean, healthy feet
What problems arise with incorrect barn ventilation?
Too little ventilation: moisture, ammonia and diseases
In poorly ventilated hen houses, moist air builds up above the litter. This can no longer dry sufficiently, resulting in wet, sticky patches. In combination with manure, this creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and parasites. The concentration of ammonia increases, which is noticeable through a pungent odor and irritates the animals' mucous membranes. In the long term, this leads to increased coughing, conjunctival irritation, reduced growth and loss of performance in laying hens and broiler chickens.
In practice, if the air "bites" when the barn door is opened or the eyes start to water, the ammonia content is clearly too high. Values above around 20 ppm are already considered critical, which is why specialist institutions recommend maximum limits of around 20-25 ppm and target values of less than 10 ppm (orientation values). A functioning chicken house ventilation system is therefore not only a matter of comfort, but also a clear health issue.
Too much or incorrect ventilation: draughts and cooling
Typical sources of draughts
- Large windows or doors permanently open close to the floor
- Ventilation slits directly at the height of the perches
- Misdirected supply air that "shoots through" the coop unchecked
- Short circuits between supply air and exhaust air openings without air distribution in the coop
Chickens tolerate cool temperatures relatively well as long as they are dry and no draughts hit their bodies directly. However, if fresh, cold air flows directly onto perches or lying areas, the animals cool down. Young animals and lightly feathered poultry in particular react with respiratory illnesses and a weakened immune system. Therefore, it is not just the amount of ventilation that is problematic, but incorrect air routing. Optimized poultry house ventilation combines sufficient air exchange with gentle, even distribution in the house.
What are the target values for a good barn climate?
The specific ideal values depend on the direction of use, the age of the animals and the type of housing. For small to medium-sized henhouses in Switzerland, however, some orientation ranges have been established that can serve as practical target values:
These values serve as a rough guide. The behavior and appearance of the animals are decisive: sitting, puffed-up chickens, wide-open beaks, breathing noises or damp litter are warning signals that the climate in the house is not optimally adjusted.
How can chicken house ventilation be optimized without draughts?
Structural basics: Planning the air flow
When planning or converting a chicken coop, the air path should be consciously considered. Fresh air should preferably flow into the upper part of the coop via ventilation slits or windows, mix with the warmer air in the coop and only then sink into the animal area. Exhaust air openings are positioned in such a way that used air is discharged without creating an "air short circuit" directly between the supply and exhaust air. Ridge openings or exhaust air pipes with a fan in the upper wall area are suitable.
Practical tips for structural ventilation openings
- If possible, arrange ventilation slots in the upper wall or roof area.
- Protect windows with wind protection film, blinds or shutters to prevent cold air from entering directly.
- Do not use open doors as the main ventilation, as this creates strong draughts.
- Preferably supply fresh air via feeding areas so that it warms up before coming into contact with the animals.
Controlled air exchange with fans
In many stables, natural ventilation openings are not sufficient to ensure a stable air exchange at all times of the year. This is where exhaust or supply air fans are used. A double fan system, which conveys stale stable air to the outside in a controlled manner and at the same time brings fresh outside air into the stable without draughts, has proved particularly effective. The targeted positioning of the fans allows the air flow to be directed in such a way that draughts in the animal area are avoided.
An important point is the step-by-step or temperature-controlled control. Excessive fan performance in winter can lead to rapid cooling and draughts, while higher levels are required in summer to prevent heat stress. Systems with three speed levels or automatic temperature mode make it easier to adjust the chicken house ventilation seasonally and still maintain a calm, draught-free air flow.
Sensor-supported ventilation control for a constant barn climate
Modern barn climate solutions work with sensors for temperature and humidity. A central control unit continuously monitors these values and automatically adjusts the fan output. This keeps the humidity within the target range without the need for constant manual adjustment. At the same time, the temperature is maintained so that the animals neither overheat nor cool down. Automatic control is a valuable relief, especially for young families or animal lovers with little time in their everyday lives.
A practical example of this is a stable climate manager, in which a powerful Powerbox with a large battery storage unit serves as the centerpiece. Such a set typically includes a double fan with adjustable speed, an LED light strip, a solar panel and a control unit with display. The battery status, temperature and humidity in the barn can be read directly from this display, while the fans run manually or temperature-controlled as required.
How can technology support ventilation in the henhouse?
Self-sufficient systems with Powerbox and solar panel
Many hen houses in rural areas or on the outskirts of a municipality do not have a direct 230 V power connection. Self-sufficient systems with solar panels and integrated battery storage offer a flexible solution here. A central power box stores the energy, operates the fans and lighting and also controls the climate in the barn. Thanks to the dual input, the battery can be charged via the power grid or purely via solar energy, depending on the situation, making it suitable for use even in remote small stables.
Advantages of a barn climate manager with Powerbox
- Constant poultry house ventilation even in the event of a power failure or without a mains connection.
- Monitoring of temperature and humidity directly on the display.
- Energy-efficient operation thanks to demand-controlled fan output.
- Reduction of ammonia, moisture and mite contamination through constant air exchange.
One example of such a system is the Smart Coop solution with Powerbox stable climate, which combines a double fan, LED light strip, control unit and solar panel in a coordinated set. The double fan works according to the principle of controlled air exchange: polluted stable air is led outside, while fresh air flows in in doses and draught-free. The reduced humidity makes it more difficult for mites to survive and thus supports a virtually mite-free barn environment.
Smart control via app and Bluetooth
Digital barn technology makes it possible to conveniently control the hens' ventilation and lighting via smartphone. With appropriate systems, a connection to the Powerbox is established via Bluetooth using a free app. This allows the fan speed, temperature mode, light color and brightness to be adjusted from a distance - for example from home or the living room. This simplifies management, especially for families and working people who cannot always be on site in the barn.
The LED light strip included in the set has a dual function: on the one hand, it serves as a working light for inspection rounds and cleaning work, and on the other hand, a calm atmosphere can be created for the animals using colored, dimmed lighting. As lighting programs influence behaviour and laying performance, adjustable, low-flicker lighting is another building block for an animal-friendly barn climate.
Practical tips: Improve chicken house ventilation step by step
- 1 Carry out an inventory: Systematically assess odor, moisture in the litter, condensation on windows and animal behavior.
- 2 Use measuring instruments: Install a simple thermo-hygrometer and, if necessary, an ammonia meter for recurring checks.
- 3 Optimize ventilation openings: Create or retrofit upper ventilation slots, reduce or redirect direct openings in the animal area.
- 4 Install fans: Position double fans so that stale air is removed and fresh air is gently supplied.
- 5 Use automatic control: Set up temperature or humidity-controlled regulation via a power box to ensure constant conditions.
- 6 Check regularly: Document values, make seasonal adjustments and adjust ventilation levels or openings if necessary.
Conclusion: Optimizing chicken house ventilation - fresh air without draughts as a permanent issue
Optimized poultry house ventilation combines sufficient air exchange with consistent avoidance of draughts. Clear airways, cleverly positioned air inlets and outlets and an air flow that only mixes with the air in the barn above the animals are crucial. This is the only way to permanently reduce humidity, ammonia and heat without chilling or stressing chickens.
For Swiss animal lovers, young families and farmers, combined solutions consisting of structural adaptations and intelligent technology offer great added value. Self-sufficient systems with a power box, solar panel, double fan and app control enable a finely tuned barn climate - even in remote barns or when time is short. Optimizing poultry house ventilation in this way creates the basis for healthy, resilient animals, stable performance and a house environment that meets the requirements of the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV) and modern animal welfare standards.