cold weather coop construction

[patandchickens]

Quote:
You can often score sheets of free styrofoam, flat or nearly so, that stores get as packing for merchandise. The best stuff I've got came from a) a 'liquidation world' type store, and b) an appliance store; but I also have not actively looked around for it so there may be even better sources. Just ask every store you're in, "hey, do you have any sheets of styrofoam packing you're throwing away that I could use as insulation in a chicken coop". Stores generally pay per the garbage they produce so my experience is they can be 'helpful' about letting you get rid of it for them, if they happen to have anything like that around that day.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Reinbeau]

We insulated the coop, and I'm happy we did, not so much for the winter, but for the summer - it's a good 10°cooler in the coop because of the insulation. Ventilation is a bit of a problem, we use the windows, hubby didn't build anything into the lower part through to the roof to create that chimney effect, so we regulate it via the windows. In the cold of winter it isn't as much of a problem, because the litter is frozen, but spring and fall I've got to keep things stirred and clean or the ammonia can build up. Listen to Pat, ventilate, ventilate, ventilate!

 

[sangel4you]

about the 2x4 roosts...prepping to build my first coop as well Do you use them so that the surface facing up that they actually sit on is the 4" side, or the 2"side?

 

[patandchickens]

The 4" side is best in places that experience Actual Winter; it lets their tummy feathers fully cover their toes for warmth.

Don't use pressure-treated, and if the corners (edges) are very sharp and square, round them off a bit before using.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[sangel4you]

great sounds good! I live in northern central pa so yes we have "real" winters lol. Just curious as to why not use pressure treated?

 

[patandchickens]

Not good for their feeties. And fairly pointless anyhow, since a roost is not damp and rot-prone.

Pat

 

[sangel4you]

true! Lol Thanks! :-D

 

[SophieLain127]

I plan on insulating my coop and just running an all weather extension cord out to the coop in the winter. I found a great deal on insulation on craigslist. Someone had pulled insulation out of their house and it was still in good condition and was selling it for $0.75 for about a 4' x 2' (approx) section. So I will be able to insulate for under $10!!!!