WINTER COOP Minnesota

Hey, any of you Minnesota chicken keepers.
I want to know what you do and how effective it is for wintering your birds.

I live just north of International Falls, Minnesota.
A month of nights going down to –35C (-30F) is normal for January. Occasionally we get –40.

My coop is an 8x8 shed.
The ceiling is 6 ft. 4in. high.
I insulated the walls and floor 2 inch Certifoam. The coop sits slightly off ground on blocks. I figure winter snow will quickly block and insulate any chilling effects of wind going under the coop.
The ceiling has 4 inches of Certifoam.

There is a single pane slider window on the south. That will be closed for the winter.
The north wall has a 2 foot wide screened opening for spring, summer and fall ventilation. It will be sealed with plywood and 2 inch Certifoam for the winter. I plan to put a 6 inch dryer vent through that for winter ventilation. If we get a nasty Arctic blow, I will seal the vent until it is over.

Inside will be a 100W light bulb 16 hours per day. I have a 125 Watt water dish heater.

Planning on having seven Buff Orpingtons living through the winter in this coop.

Will this be enough insulation?
How about winter ventilation?
I still have a hard time reconciling insulating vs. wasting heat by ventilating to prevent humidity and ammonia build up.
I
 
what you do for wintering your birds.
My method for dealing with winter is quite simple one extra feeder of whole corn. I live in Canada subject to -40º. I have 67 trips around the sun. I have raised various types of chickens and birds for decades.

TLC still has to be provided to birds that may not be adapting well to the diet. For the most part birds are vocal happy and do just fine. NO HEAT NO EXTRA LIGHT please and thank you works fine for me and my flock.

If for any reason you find it necessary to supply electricity to your coop via extension cord.

Please employ a "Ground Fault Outlet" also use a "Safety Chain" in conjunction to any heat lamp or incandescent bulb after mounting.
One coop fire is too many and these precautions could be the difference.

A simple action such as a rodent chewing on your extension cord could be the cause of a coop fire and a ground fault circuit could be the difference in witnessing your coop in tack or a pile of smoldering ash.

gf-outlet-jpg.1164047


P.S. There are now a variety of ground fault extension cords available in major retail centers that also would be a wise investment.
 
what you do for wintering your birds.
My method for dealing with winter is quite simple one extra feeder of whole corn. I live in Canada subject to -40º. I have 67 trips around the sun. I have raised various types of chickens and birds for decades.

TLC still has to be provided to birds that may not be adapting well to the diet. For the most part birds are vocal happy and do just fine. NO HEAT NO EXTRA LIGHT please and thank you works fine for me and my flock.

If for any reason you find it necessary to supply electricity to your coop via extension cord.

Please employ a "Ground Fault Outlet" also use a "Safety Chain" in conjunction to any heat lamp or incandescent bulb after mounting.
One coop fire is too many and these precautions could be the difference.

A simple action such as a rodent chewing on your extension cord could be the cause of a coop fire and a ground fault circuit could be the difference in witnessing your coop in tack or a pile of smoldering ash.

gf-outlet-jpg.1164047


P.S. There are now a variety of ground fault extension cords available in major retail centers that also would be a wise investment.
 

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