Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[rosy20]

Received new Cube yesterday, put together today everything seemed straight forward, BUT

at back of cube above slip out trays for droppings, there is a gap approx. almost 1inch width the length of each tray.

Today was quite windy, making a draught into the roosting area at the same level the hens perch, if it had been raining I'm sure the wet would have been blown in. Has anyone else got this problem if so how did you deal with it.

[Plum]

There is a ventilation gap but think mine is only half that. If it's an icy cold wind from that direction I put folded up newspaper in the gap. Do you want to post a picture and I'll compare with mine. Or I'll take a picture tomorrow.

[Plum]

Just thinking about it, the tray handle slopes upwards and is higher so there is less of a gap an inch or two inside. Also it means any rains drains out.

 

The back of my house faces the east and all through the winter we had loads of wind and rain from the east and none ever went in the tray

[rosy20]

Thanks for this info, if all cubes are like this and it causes no problems my girls will be o'k.

Will use newspaper when cold/wet weather, the girls did eventually settle last night,it was the first time in a cube

from a smaller wooden coop. We had to put them in not keen on the ladder, or to go in themselves.

Woke up a bit later this morning after 6am instead of 5am,and have laid in the nesting box, so we seem to be winning.

[Plum]

Won't take them long to learn. Having said that I keep finding 2 biggies and a pekin packed into my little wooden house at night. I've left it in as an additional nest box