Cold Weather Climes, Do You Insulate the Coop?

[ottodog]

I'm in the process of framing the coop and just trying to decide whether to insulate. I'm in CO at 9000' and it does get pretty cold, but it seems like since your venting the coop so much, insulation might be a waste.

Whats the thoughts on this.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Hello! Neither of my coops are insulated and the ladies do just fine. Being sure it is draft free is probably a bigger concern than insulating.

You should stop in on the Colorado thread sometime.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/68894/colorado/13760#post_10878571

 

[Judy]

The trick I think is, draft free and yet well ventilated.

Here's a couple of very good articles about this, by a Canadian

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop

 

[EggsnQuackers]

We planned on completely insulating our coop but didn't get around to it. We got the ceiling insulated before the worst of the weather hit and the birds did alright. On the very coldest nights (we got into the -20s frequently not factoring in windchill) we turned on a heat lamp. That kept the coop about 10 degrees warmer than the outside air temp.
Our coop is constructed of OSB with steel siding the pop door was always open with the exception of a few nights where the temps and wind were really bad.
We had two Buff Orpington roosters that got some frostbite on their combs and wattles, the Welsummer rooster didn't have any problems. The hens and ducks had no problems and we had excellent lay rates all winter long.

 

[ottodog]

Thanks guys, I'll do some reading. I'm leaning towards not insulating. Our previous birds lived in the garage which is un-insulated and un-heated. We did get about a week of sub-zero and the roo ended with a little frost bite on the very tips of his comb, but other than that they seemed to fare fine. Breed probably plays a role also. They were barred rocks, the same as I have coming next week. Since the coop will be such a small area compared to the garage, it should be relatively easy to give them a little warmth like you did EggsnQuackers.

Draft protection will probably be the biggest challenge since we live in a +100 mph zone. Fastest we've seen is 117. I may construct a little break, although the coop will sit on the downwind side of the house. Probably will need to plan my vent locations carefully though.

Chick_In_The_Burbs thanks, didn't realize there was a Co thread. I'l definitely stop by.

Thanks again.