Before I rebuild, what would yall do differently?

[Snakebiteholloway]

Hahaha! Yup! I spent 8 years at Bragg. It was quite cold!

Ok maybe I should forgo the insulation. I’m in NC not hot like Louisiana but pretty mild winters compared to up north! Chickens do run hotter, why can’t I remember that! Given the choice I’d rather buy anything else over hardware cloth, talk about expensive! But I’m in the country and plenty of chicken eating predators so I have no choice. By the time it’s said and done the coop will safer than my house, during a tornado I’ll be like, hurry everyone to the coop! lol.

Imho, the thing to do is what makes YOU feel good about your chicken care.
I was at Ft Bragg 8 years. I recall it got rather bitterly cold up there and a few soldiers did get hypothermia and light frostbite. So, you do what you feel is best! They may not NEED it, but You'll sleep better! Lol!

 

[StinkyAcres]

I’m in NC

No need for insulation there.

 

[z3lda3]

No need for insulation there.

Well now I’m all worried about frostbite! I WAS thinking they’d get cold and be miserable, nooo there’s frostbite to worry about.

 

[Snakebiteholloway]

Sigh ok so maybe I’ll do insulation. I’ve went back forth to do or not this entire post! Ya know what, I’ll just make an extra room on the house and bring them inside, problem solved!

I will not have insulation down there. I will instead have a "warming area" - padded boxes sitting under a heat light for below freezing nights. Cuz i want my girls comfy!

 

[z3lda3]

I will not have insulation down there. I will instead have a "warming area" - padded boxes sitting under a heat light for below freezing nights. Cuz i want my girls comfy!

Oooo wait- a warming area?! Hey that’s a good idea!!! What about the heat light, does fire scare you? (Pls keep in mind I’m a worrier).

 

[z3lda3]

Hahaha! Yup! I spent 8 years at Bragg. It was quite cold!

Imho, the thing to do is what makes YOU feel good about your chicken care.
I was at Ft Bragg 8 years. I recall it got rather bitterly cold up there and a few soldiers did get hypothermia and light frostbite. So, you do what you feel is best! They may not NEED it, but You'll sleep better! Lol!

See you totally get me! You’re 100% correct, I will sleep better!

 

[StinkyAcres]

Well now I’m all worried about frostbite! I WAS thinking they’d get cold and be miserable, nooo there’s frostbite to worry about.

Lots of ventilation (1 square foot per bird is recommended) far above the roosts should prevent frostbite. I live in Vermont and my coop is not insulated. It's humid and gets down in the negatives every winter. My chickens are fine, even the Plymouth Rock with the single comb (she's 7 years old now).

 

[StinkyAcres]

Lots of ventilation (1 square foot per bird is recommended) far above the roosts should prevent frostbite. I live in Vermont and my coop is not insulated. It's humid and gets down in the negatives every winter. My chickens are fine, even the Plymouth Rock with the single comb (she's 7 years old now).

I should add that I don't provide heat either. I don't want them to get used to the warmth and have to stay under the lamp all winter.

 

[z3lda3]

Lots of ventilation (1 square foot per bird is recommended) far above the roosts should prevent frostbite. I live in Vermont and my coop is not insulated. It's humid and gets down in the negatives every winter. My chickens are fine, even the Plymouth Rock with the single comb (she's 7 years old now).

I feel something else to worry about coming on..what’s the comb got to do with anything? ALL my chickens have single combs!! The less combs more sensitive to frostbite? (I know it’s hard to tell through text, but I’m not being sassy, I honestly don’t know).

 

[StinkyAcres]

I feel something else to worry about coming on..what’s the comb got to do with anything? ALL my chickens have single combs!! The less combs more sensitive to frostbite? (I know it’s hard to tell through text, but I’m not being sassy, I honestly don’t know).

Yes, the smaller the comb the less risk of frost bite to that area. IF they do get frostbite it usually falls off and heals on its own anyway. But you really don't need to worry, being that you are in NC. The single combs will help them stay cooler in the summer which is more important in your climate.