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Using Insulation, what type

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post #1 of 6

10/22/08 at 8:22am

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epona4

Location: Central Indiana
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I was thinking about putting insulation between the exterior and interior walls of my barn/coop. There will be 4 inches of dead space and I'm wondering if one type of insulation is better than another. I'm considering the pink Styrofoam sort.

I don't want to just do this for weather reasons...but also hoping to discourage mice to bed down in there. I know the fiberglass insulation doesn't work all that well. We've been remodeling the kitchen in our old farmhouse and I have found where they set up nests in the walls in the fiberglass stuff. (surprised me!)

Thanks,
b

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post #2 of 6

10/22/08 at 9:37am

patandchickens
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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the rigid foamboard types are about as good as you're going to do, IMO, as far as discouraging mouse hotels (they are not mousePROOF but usually do not develop problems unless you have REALLY determined mice). Four inches thick may run you a big o' cash, though, and if you don't fill the whole void they will just set up shop *next to* the insulation.

Good luck,

Pat

my Big Ol' Ventilation Page is at http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION
and Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs): http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run
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post #3 of 6

10/22/08 at 9:51am

Home on the Stead

Location: Minnesota
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The rigid foam is best. You don't have to fill the whole cavity for insulation value, but when you put it in between the studs be sure to fill the outside cracks with expandable foam to get a thorough seal (no air leaks).

You'll also want to put a vapor barrier on the inside or you'll get condensation and lose any insulating value at all.

As for mice - the only way to eliminate them completely is to fill every opening they can get in to...

Good luck.

Working on creating a sustainable life.

HomeOnTheStead.com

post #4 of 6

10/22/08 at 10:16am

JennsPeeps
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Location: South Puget Sound
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Make sure you cover it so it's chicken-proof. The dumb birds seem to love pecking at insulation & foam.

post #5 of 6

10/22/08 at 10:22am

Bleenstar

Location: Southern California
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sorry to steal this post but I actually have a question, Does insulation reduce noise?

and I'd assume fiberglass insulation would be bad for the chickens wont it? if they breathed it in ?

post #6 of 6

10/22/08 at 10:55am

patandchickens
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bleenstar

sorry to steal this post but I actually have a question, Does insulation reduce noise?

and I'd assume fiberglass insulation would be bad for the chickens wont it? if they breathed it in ?

Yes, it reduces noise, in both directions (rain on the roof becomes quieter inside the coop, AND crowing roosters inside the coop become somewhat quieter to the outside smile )

THe chickens aren't going to be breathing in fiberglass because it's going to be covered by panelling or whatever, otherwise they would EAT it which is certainly bad for them smile

Pat